The tradesman in the nobility read online. J.B
“The Bourgeois in the Nobility” is a comedy-ballet created by the great Molière in 1670. This is a classic work, complemented by elements of folk farce, features of ancient comedy and satirical compositions of the Renaissance.
History of creation
In the autumn of 1669, ambassadors from the Ottoman Sultan visited Paris. The Turks were greeted with particular pomp. But the decorations, spectacular meeting and luxurious apartments did not surprise the guests. Moreover, the delegation stated that the reception was sparse. It soon turned out that it was not ambassadors who visited the palace, but impostors.
However, the offended King Louis nevertheless demanded that Moliere create a work that would ridicule the pompous Turkish customs and specific morals of Eastern culture. It took only 10 rehearsals and the play “Turkish Ceremony” was demonstrated to the king. A month later in 1670, at the end of November, the performance was presented at the Palais Royal.
However, after some time, the talented playwright radically transformed the original play. In addition to satire on Turkish customs, he supplemented the work with reflections on the topic of modern mores of the nobles.
Analysis of the work
Plot
Mr. Jourdain has money, a family and a good house, but he wants to become a true aristocrat. He pays barbers, tailors and teachers to make him a respectable nobleman. The more his servants praised him, the more he paid them. Any whims of the gentleman were embodied in reality, while those around him generously praised the naive Jourdain.
The dance teacher taught the minuet and the art of bowing correctly. This was important for Jourdain, who was in love with a marquise. The fencing teacher told me how to strike correctly. He was taught spelling, philosophy, and learned the intricacies of prose and poetry.
Dressed in a new suit, Jourdain decided to take a walk around the city. Madame Jourdain and the maid Nicole told the man that he looked like a buffoon and everyone was rushing around with him only because of his generosity and wealth. A quarrel ensues. Count Dorant appears and asks Jourdain to lend him some more money, despite the fact that the amount of debt is already quite substantial.
A young man named Cleon loves Lucille, who reciprocates his feelings. Madame Jourdain agrees to her daughter's marriage to her lover. Mr. Jourdain, having learned that Cleont is not of noble origin, sharply refuses. At this moment Count Dorant and Dorimena appear. An enterprising adventurer courtes the marquise, transferring gifts from the naive Jourdain in his own name.
The owner of the house invites everyone to the table. The Marquise is enjoying delicious treats when suddenly Jourdain’s wife appears, who was sent to her sister. She understands what is happening and causes a scandal. The Count and the Marquise leave the house.
Koviel immediately appears. He introduces himself as a friend of Jourdain's father and a real nobleman. He talks about how the Turkish heir to the throne arrived in the city, madly in love with the daughter of Mr. Jourdain.
To become related, Jourdain needs to undergo a rite of passage into mamamushi. Then the Sultan himself appears - Cleont in disguise. He speaks in a fictitious language, and Koviel translates. This is followed by a mixed initiation ceremony, complete with ridiculous rituals.
Characteristics of the main characters
Jourdain - main character comedy, bourgeois who wants to become a nobleman. He is naive and spontaneous, generous and reckless. Goes ahead towards his dream. He'll be happy to lend you money. If you make him angry, he instantly flares up and starts screaming and making trouble.
He believes in the omnipotence of money, so he uses the services of the most expensive tailors, hoping that their clothes will “do the trick.” He is fooled by everyone: from servants to close relatives and false friends. Rudeness and bad manners, ignorance and vulgarity contrast very noticeably with claims to noble gloss and grace.
Jourdain's wife
The wife of a tyrant and false nobleman is contrasted with her husband in the work. She is well-mannered and full of common sense. A practical and sophisticated lady always behaves with dignity. The wife tries to direct her husband to the “path of truth”, explaining to him that everyone is using him.
She is not interested in titles of nobility and is not obsessed with status. Madame Jourdain even wants to marry her beloved daughter to a person of equal status and intelligence, so that she can feel comfortable and good.
Dorant
Count Dorant represents the noble class. He is aristocratic and vain. He makes friends with Jourdain solely for selfish reasons.
The man's entrepreneurial spirit is manifested in the way he cleverly appropriates the gifts of the lover Jourdain, presented to the Marquise, as his own. He even passes off a given diamond as his own gift.
Knowing about Koviel's prank, he is in no hurry to warn his friend about the insidious plans of the scoffers. Rather, on the contrary, the count himself has plenty of fun with the stupid Jourdain.
Marquise
Marquise Dorimena is a widow and represents a noble noble family. For her sake, Jourdain studies all sciences, spends incredible money on expensive gifts and organizing social events.
She is full of hypocrisy and vanity. In the eyes of the owner of the house, she says that he has wasted so much on the reception, but at the same time enjoys the delicacies with pleasure. The marquise is not averse to accepting expensive gifts, but at the sight of her suitor’s wife, she pretends to be embarrassed and even offended.
Beloved
Lucille and Cleonte are people of a new generation. They are well-educated, smart and resourceful. Lucille loves Cleontes, so when she learns that she will be married off to someone else, she sincerely resists.
The young man really has something to love. He is intelligent, noble in manners, honest, kind and loving. He is not ashamed of his relatives, does not chase illusory statuses, openly declares his feelings and desires.
The comedy is distinguished by a particularly thoughtful and clear structure: 5 acts, as required by the canons of classicism. One action is not interrupted by secondary lines. Moliere introduces dramatic work ballet. This violates the requirements of classicism.
The theme is Mr. Jourdain's obsession with noble titles and nobility. The author criticizes in his work the aristocratic mood, the humiliation of the bourgeoisie before the class that supposedly dominates.
Jean Baptiste Moliere A tradesman among the nobility. Imaginary patient (collection)
© Lyubimov N., translation into Russian. Descendants, 2015
© Shchepkina-Kupernik T., translation into Russian. Descendants, 2015
© Edition in Russian, design. Eksmo Publishing House LLC, 2015
Tradesman in the nobility
Comedy characters
MR JOURDAIN is a tradesman.
MADAME JOURDAIN is his wife.
LUCILLE is their daughter.
CLEONTE is a young man in love with Lucille.
DORIMENA Marquise.
DORANT Count, in love with Dorimena.
NICOLE is a maid in Mr. Jourdain's house.
KOVIEL servant of Cleont.
MUSIC TEACHER.
MUSIC TEACHER'S STUDENT.
DANCE TEACHER.
FENCING TEACHER.
PHILOSOPHY TEACHER.
MUSICIANS.
Tailor's Apprentice.
TWO LACKEYS.
THREE PAGES.
BALLET CHARACTERS
IN THE FIRST ACT
Singer. Two singers. Dancers.
IN THE SECOND ACT
Tailor's apprentices (dancing).
IN ACT THIRD
Cooks (dancing).
IN ACT FOUR
Mufti. Turks, Mufti's retinue (singing). Dervishes (singing). Turks (dancing).
The action takes place in Paris, in the house of Mr. Jourdain.
Act one
The overture is performed by a variety of instruments; in the middle of the scene at the table, a MUSIC TEACHER'S STUDENT is composing a melody for a serenade ordered by Mr. Jourdain.
First appearance
A music teacher, a dance teacher, two singers, a singer, two violinists, four dancers.
MUSIC TEACHER (singers and musicians). Come here, to this hall; rest until he arrives.
DANCE TEACHER (to dancers). And you too, stand on this side.
MUSIC TEACHER (to the student). Ready?
STUDENT. Ready.
MUSIC TEACHER. Let's see... Very good.
DANCE TEACHER. Anything new?
MUSIC TEACHER. Yes, I told the student to compose music for a serenade while our eccentric woke up.
DANCE TEACHER. Can I have a look?
MUSIC TEACHER. You will hear this along with the dialogue as soon as the owner appears. He'll be out soon.
DANCE TEACHER. Now you and I have things going over our heads.
MUSIC TEACHER. Still would! We found exactly the person we needed. Mr. Jourdain, with his obsession with the nobility and social manners, is just a treasure for us. If everyone became like him, then your dances and my music would have nothing more to wish for.
DANCE TEACHER. Well, not quite. For his own good, I would like him to better understand the things that we explain to him.
MUSIC TEACHER. He doesn’t understand them well, but he pays well, and our arts need nothing more now than this.
DANCE TEACHER. I'll admit, I'm a little partial to fame. Applause gives me pleasure, but to waste my art on fools, to submit my creations to the barbaric court of a fool - this, in my opinion, is an unbearable torture for any artist. Whatever you say, it’s nice to work for people who are able to feel the subtleties of this or that art, who know how to appreciate the beauty of works and reward you for your work with flattering signs of approval. Yes, the most pleasant reward is to see that your creation is recognized, that you are honored for it with applause. In my opinion, this is the best reward for all our hardships - the praise of an enlightened person gives inexplicable pleasure.
MUSIC TEACHER. I agree with this, I also love praise. Indeed, there is nothing more flattering than applause, but you can’t live on incense. Praise alone is not enough for a person; give him something more substantial; The best way to reward someone is to put something in your hand. Frankly speaking, our master’s knowledge is not great, he judges everything crookedly and at random and applauds where he should not, but money straightens the crookedness of his judgments, his common sense is in his wallet, his praises are minted in the form of coins, so from this ignorant The tradesman, as you see, is of much more use to us than the enlightened nobleman who brought us here.
DANCE TEACHER. There is some truth in your words, but it seems to me that you attach too much importance to money. great importance; Meanwhile, self-interest is something so base that a decent person should not show any special inclination towards it.
MUSIC TEACHER. However, you calmly take money from our eccentric.
DANCE TEACHER. Of course, I take it, but money is not the main thing for me. If only his wealth and even a little good taste - that’s what I would like.
MUSIC TEACHER. Me too: after all, we both strive for this to the best of our ability. But, be that as it may, thanks to him, people began to pay attention to us in society, and what others will praise, he will pay for.
DANCE TEACHER. And here he is.
Second phenomenon
The same, Mr. Jourdain in a dressing gown and nightcap and two footmen.
Mr. JOURDAIN. Well, gentlemen! How are you doing there? Will you show me your trinket today?
DANCE TEACHER. What? What trinket?
Mr. JOURDAIN. Well, this one... What do you call it? It's either a prologue or a dialogue with songs and dances.
DANCE TEACHER. ABOUT! ABOUT!
MUSIC TEACHER. As you can see, we are ready.
Mr. JOURDAIN. I hesitated a little, but the point is this: I now dress as nobles dress, and my tailor sent me silk stockings, so tight - really, I thought that I would never get them on.
MUSIC TEACHER. We are entirely at your service.
Mr. JOURDAIN. I ask you both not to leave until they bring me my new suit: I want you to look at me.
DANCE TEACHER. As you wish.
Mr. JOURDAIN. You will see that now I am dressed as I should from head to toe.
MUSIC TEACHER. We have no doubt about this.
Mr. JOURDAIN. I made myself a robe from Indian fabric.
DANCE TEACHER. Great robe.
Mr. JOURDAIN. My tailor assures me that all the nobles wear such robes in the morning.
MUSIC TEACHER. It suits you amazingly.
Mr. JOURDAIN. Lackey! Hey, my two lackeys!
FIRST LACKEY. What do you order, sir?
Mr. JOURDAIN. I won't order anything. I just wanted to check how you obey me. How do you like their liveries?
DANCE TEACHER. Magnificent liveries.
Mr. JOURDAIN (opens his robe; underneath he has tight red velvet trousers and a green velvet camisole). And here is my home suit for morning exercises.
MUSIC TEACHER. Abyss of taste!
Mr. JOURDAIN. Lackey!
FIRST LACKEY. Anything, sir?
Mr. JOURDAIN. Another lackey!
SECOND LOOKEY. Anything, sir?
Mr. JOURDAIN (takes off his robe). Hold it. (To the music teacher and dance teacher.) Well, am I good in this outfit?
DANCE TEACHER. Very good. It couldn't be better.
Mr. JOURDAIN. Now let's get busy with you.
MUSIC TEACHER. First of all, I would like you to listen to the music that here it is (points to student) wrote for the serenade you ordered. This is my student, he has amazing abilities for such things.
Mr. JOURDAIN. It may very well be, but still you shouldn’t have entrusted this to a student. It remains to be seen whether you yourself are fit for such a task, let alone a student.
MUSIC TEACHER. The word "student" should not confuse you, sir. Students of this kind understand music no less than great masters. In fact, you couldn’t imagine a more wonderful motive. Just listen.
Act one
First appearance
The music teacher invites singers and musicians to sit in the hall and relax until the owner arrives. The dance teacher offers the same to the dancers. The music teacher tells the dance teacher that Mister Jourdain, who is obsessed with the nobility, is just a treasure for them.
The dance teacher admits that he is offended “to submit his creation to the judgment of a fool” (he meant Mr. Jourdain). The music teacher does not agree with him and says that it is good when, in addition to the praise of enlightened people, a person of art also receives money.
Second phenomenon
Monsieur Jourdain enters in a dressing gown and nightcap. He asks those gathered to show him “either a prologue or a dialogue with songs and dances.” Jourdain explains his lateness by saying that he could not put on new tight silk stockings, because he now dresses the way nobles dress. He asks both teachers not to leave until they bring a new suit. Jourdain wants teachers to look at him in his new clothes.
Mr. Jourdain wore a robe made of Indian fabric because all the nobles wear such robe in the morning. Suddenly, interrupting the conversation, Jourdain calls two lackeys, but does not give them orders, explaining that he called them to check how they obey him.Jourdain is considering whether to listen to music in a dressing gown or without a dressing gown, then finally decides that it would be better in a dressing gown.
Jourdain listens to a lyrical song about love, interrupts the singing and says that the tune needs to be made more fun. As an example, he cites a banal song about a sheep.Having learned that noble gentlemen also study music, Jourdain decides that he himself needs it.The music teacher and dance teacher encourage Jourdain to master these arts, explaining that they are the most important in the world.The singer and two singers begin to perform a piece about love. Next, the dance teacher offers to watch a ballet.
Act two
First appearance
Mr. Jourdain says that the ballet, composed especially for him, could not have come at a better time, because a distinguished guest will come to him today.The music teacher advises Mr. Jourdain to give concerts on Wednesdays and Thursdays, as is done in all noble houses.Hearing that the nobles are giving concerts, Jourdain immediately agrees with the music teacher's proposal.Jourdain dances a minuet and asks to be taught how to bow to the Marquise. The dance teacher explains to Mr. Jourdain what a respectful bow should be.
Second phenomenon
The footman reports that the fencing teacher has arrived.Mister Jourdain asks the dance teacher and music teacher to stay to observe the lesson.
The third phenomenon
The fencing teacher begins the lesson. He explains to Mr. Jourdain that the main thing in the art of fencing is to deliver blows and not receive them. From this, the fencing teacher concludes that his art is superior to others, calling dancing and music useless sciences. The music teacher and dance teacher are outraged by this attitude.
A fencing teacher calls a music teacher a “musician,” a dance teacher a “dancer,” and in return he himself receives the nickname “fighter.” The dance teacher almost started a fight with the fencing teacher.Mr. Jourdain is trying to separate the quarrels.
The fourth phenomenon
The philosophy teacher enters. Mr. Jourdain asks him to reconcile the quarreling gentlemen teachers. The philosopher says that “the best response to bullying is restraint and patience.” Each tells the philosopher that his art is the most important, but the philosophy teacher declares that all three are impudent, because their arts cannot even compare with the most important science - philosophy.A fight between all four teachers begins.
Fifth appearance
Mr. Jourdain says that he is not going to separate the fighting, otherwise he will tear his new robe.
Appearance Six
The philosophy teacher returns and is ready to begin the lesson. Mr. Jourdain says that he is annoyed that everything turned out this way. Mr. Jourdain explains to the philosopher that he wants to learn everything, because he only knows how to read and write. The philosopher suggests starting your studies by mastering logic and explains its basic concepts.
Mr. Jourdain didn’t like the logic (“The words are too tricky. No, logic doesn’t suit me. Something more enticing would be better.”)Mr. Jourdain also refuses ethics, saying that he is too hot-tempered for this. Physics also does not attract Jourdain.In the end, Jourdain asks the philosophy teacher to study spelling with him, to which he gladly agrees. Jourdain, following the teacher, learns to pronounce sounds (vowels and consonants).
After interrupting the lesson, Mr. Jourdain asks the philosophy teacher to help him write a note to a noble lady with whom Mr. Jourdain is in love. Jourdain cannot explain whether he wants to write a note in prose or poetry, since he does not know the definitions of either one.In the note, Jourdain wants to write the following: “Beautiful marquise! Your beautiful eyes promise me death from love.”
The philosophy teacher offers options for declarations of love, but the stubborn Jourdain, who does not want to change the text of the note, does not like all of them. In the end, the philosophy teacher praises Jourdain's taste and says that this is exactly how a message to a woman should be written.Jourdain remains quite pleased with himself.
Seventh Appearance
Mr. Jourdain is nervous because he has not yet received a new suit and scolds the tailor.
The eighth phenomenon
The tailor brings a suit. Jourdain complains that the stockings sent by the tailor are too tight and the shoes are too tight.The tailor convinces Jourdain that this is the way it should be. He agrees.Mr. Jourdain asks the musicians to come in so that they can put on a new costume while they play.
Appearance Ninth
The apprentices dancing to the music dress Mister Jourdain. The apprentice asks Mr. Jourdain to give him some money so that they can drink to his health. At the same time, the apprentice called Jourdain “Your Grace.” Hearing this, Jourdain immediately gave money and decided that it was because of the new suit that he was given such a flattering name. The apprentice calls Jourdain “Your Excellency” in gratitude, and then “Your Grace.”For each of these requests, Jourdain gives the apprentices money, almost giving away everything he had with him.
Act three
First appearance
Mister Jourdain decided to walk around the city in a new suit, accompanied by lackeys (so that everyone could see that he has lackeys).
Second phenomenon
The maid Nicole comes in and doesn’t hold back and laughs at the sight of her master in a new suit. She says that Jourdain looks so funny that she can’t help but laugh. Mr. Jourdain threatened to slap her if she didn't stop laughing.Jourdain orders Nicole to clean the house before the guests arrive.
The third phenomenon
Madame Jourdain tells her husband that his clothes and behavior have long made everyone laugh. Nicole supports the owner, saying that it will be impossible to keep the house clean if so many people come here every day. Madame Jourdain and Nicole ask Mr. Jourdain why he needed fencing and dancing teachers at his age.Jourdain calls women ignorant, and his wife says that it would be better if he got his daughter married.
Mr. Jourdain boasts to his wife about his knowledge (he now knows that people speak in prose, and also knows how to pronounce the sound “u”).Nicole especially doesn't like the fencing teacher, who leaves a lot of dust.
Mr. Jourdain immediately demands to hand over the rapiers, hands one to Nicole and prepares to defend himself. Nicole easily stabbed Mr. Jourdain several times with her rapier.His wife says that all this nonsense with Jourdain began from the time he hung out with nobles, although he himself is a tradesman. Madame Jourdain explains to her husband that all these noble gentlemen are affectionate with him only because they borrow money, like the Count, for example, from Jourdain.
The graph appears.
The fourth phenomenon
Count Dorant greets Jourdain, calling him “dear friend.”The Count praises Jourdain's new suit and gives him a lot of compliments.Dorant says that he spoke about Jourdain in the royal bedchamber.The Count asks to calculate how much he owes Mr. Jourdain. He replies that the debt is fifteen thousand eight hundred livres. The count asks for an even amount to lend him another two hundred pistoles, so that it turns out to be exactly eighteen thousand francs.His wife quietly calls Jourdain a “cash cow” and demands that he not lend money.To Count Jourdain he replies that it is an honor for him to lend money to the Count, and goes to get the money.
Fifth appearance
The Count asks Madame Jourdain about her daughter and offers to visit the court ballet and watch a comedy.
Appearance Six
Mister Jourdain gives Dorant two hundred louis. The Count informs Jourdain that the Marquise will soon come to dinner and attend the performance that Jourdain is organizing for her. The Marquise, according to Dorant, for a long time refused the diamond given by Jourdain, but eventually accepted the gift.Jourdain is grateful to the count for his sincere participation in his heartfelt affairs.Mr. Jourdain noticed that Nicole was eavesdropping on them, slapped her in the face and left with the count.
Seventh Appearance
Nicole told the hostess about everything she heard. Mrs. Jourdain says that she has long suspected that her hubby is hitting on someone. But then Madame Jourdain changes the topic of conversation. She says that Cleont is madly in love with her daughter, and it would be good if she could marry Lucille to him.Nicole is delighted because she is in love with the servant Cleontes.Madame Jourdain sends Nicole to Cleonte to ask Mr. Jourdain for Lucille's hand in marriage.
The eighth phenomenon
Nicole is about to tell Cleont the good news, but Cleont and his servant Koviel drive Nicole away without listening to her.
Appearance Ninth
Cleont was outraged that when he met Lucille, she walked by as if she had not noticed him. Koviel is offended by Nicole for this: she also passed by without noticing him.Cleont suspects that Lucille has been turned by Count Dorant, who often visits their house.Koviel criticizes Lucille: her eyes are small, her mouth is large, she is not tall, “she is deliberately careless in her speech and movements.”Cleont responds to all this that Lucille is charming, but promises himself to stop loving her and leave her.
The tenth phenomenon
Nicole told Lucille about how she was driven away.The girls meet Cleont and Koviel. Lucille asks why Cleont is so harsh with her. Nicole is interested in the same thing. Lucille herself explains why she avoided meeting with Cleont this morning.Both refuse to listen to the girls, but then, when they are about to leave, they themselves ask to tell what really happened during the morning meeting.Lucille explained that her old aunt, who was walking with them, was to blame for everything. The aunt is sure that if a man approaches a woman, then he has already dishonored her in this way.Cleont and Koviel immediately forgave their lovers.
Appearance eleventh
Madame Jourdain greets Cleonte and says that now is an opportunity to ask Lucille’s hand in marriage from her husband. Cleont is happy that he has such an opportunity.
Appearance Twelfth
Cleont turns to Mr. Jourdain with a request to marry Lucille to him. Mister Jourdain: “Before I give you an answer, sir, I will ask you to tell me whether you are a nobleman or not.” Cleont replies that words are cheap now, people often pretend to be nobles, but he will not do this. And although he is wealthy and has a good position in society, and his ancestors were respected people, he still has no right to consider himself a nobleman. Mr. Jourdain says that in this case he will not marry his daughter to him. Jourdain's wife is outraged by this answer, Cleont is amazed. It turns out that Jourdain wants his daughter to be a marquise.
Appearance thirteen
Madame Jourdain calms Cleonte down and tells her daughter that her father needs to set a condition: Lucille will not marry anyone but Cleonte.
Appearance fourteen
Servant Cleonta Koviel explains to the owner that Lucille’s father cannot be taken so seriously, because he is obsessed with the nobility. Koviel immediately comes up with some kind of idea, announcing to the owner that they will play one joke with Mr. Jourdain, after which he will marry Lucille to Cleonte.
Appearance fifteen
Mister Jourdain tells himself that he would allow two fingers on his hand to be cut off if only he could be born a count or a marquis.
Appearance sixteen
The footman reports to Mr. Jourdain that the count has arrived with some lady.
Appearance seventeenth
The footman tells Count Dorant and Dorimena that Mr. Jourdain will now come out to them.
The Eighteenth Appearance
Dorimena doubts that it was worth coming to this house. Dorant tells Marquise Dorimena about his love for her, that since they cannot meet at his or her place to avoid publicity, then this house is the best refuge.
Dorimena admits that the Count's gifts are too expensive (Dorant made gifts on his own behalf, receiving them from Mr. Jourdain). The Marquise even says that Dorant is about to persuade her to marry him. The Count invites the Marquise to take this step now. Dorimena is embarrassed that the Count is spending too much on her.The owner of the house enters.
Appearance nineteen
Mister Jourdain makes bows, as the dance teacher explained to him, but he came too close to the Marquise and asks her to step back a little so that he can make a third bow. Then Jourdain expressed admiration that such a beautiful marquise visited his home. At the end of his speech he became completely confused and was interrupted by Count Dorant.The Count quietly reminds Jourdain not to let it slip about the diamond given to Doriman.
The twentieth phenomenon
Everyone goes to the table.
Act four
First appearance
Dorimena tells Dorant that this is not a dinner, but a luxurious feast. Dorant replies that he ordered lunch himself, but still all these treats are not worthy of Dorimena.Mister Jourdain admires the marquise's hands out loud. Dorimena praises the diamond she has on her finger out loud. Count Dorant continually interrupts Mr. Jourdain when he tries to compliment Dorimene. The show begins.
Second phenomenon
Suddenly, Madame Jourdain appears, whom her husband sent to her sister because of Dorimena’s visit. Dorant tells Madame Jourdain that it is not her husband who is hosting the dinner. Lunch is given by the count, and Mr. Jourdain allegedly only provided his house for this.
Jourdain immediately confirms Dorant’s words to reassure his wife. Madame Jourdain, in response to all these explanations, shamed the marquise, saying that it was completely unbecoming for such an important lady as Dorimena to allow a married man to drag her along (she meant her husband Jourdain). Dorimena is outraged and offended by Dorant for bringing her to this house. The Marquise leaves, Dorant follows her.
The third phenomenon
Jourdain scolds his wife for driving such noble gentlemen out of his house. Madame Jourdain replies that she does not care about their nobility.
The fourth phenomenon
Mr. Jourdain laments the unsuccessful return of his wife.
Fifth appearance
The disguised servant Cleonta Koviel comes to Jourdain and introduces himself as a close friend of his late father. Koviel says that he knew Jourdain as a child. Then Koviel says that Jourdain’s father was a real nobleman, and agrees to testify to this in front of everyone.
Koviel informs Jourdain that the son of the Turkish Sultan is in love with Jourdain’s daughter and wants to marry her. Koviel comes up with ridiculous words on the fly, explaining to Jourdain that these are Turkish expressions. Jourdain tries to remember all these words.
The guest says that the son of the Turkish Sultan came to ask for Lucille’s hand in marriage and wants to initiate Jourdain into mamamushi (Koviel himself came up with the word, explaining that this means becoming a respectable nobleman). Jourdain agrees to everything.
Appearance Six
Cleont appears, dressed as a Turk, along with his pages. Cleont utters meaningless words, and Koviel supposedly translates them from Turkish. Jourdain believes everything and agrees to prepare for the mamamushi initiation ceremony.
Seventh Appearance
Koviel laughs at Jourdain's stupidity.
The eighth phenomenon
Koviel invites the visiting Count Dorant to take part in the comedy that he started with Mr. Jourdain in order to marry Cleont to Lucille. Dorant agrees.
Appearance Ninth
The Turkish ceremony begins with music and dancing.
The tenth phenomenon
Monsieur Jourdain appears with a shaved head, dressed as a Turk. The mufti, leading the ceremony in a broken language with mistakes that he makes on purpose, begins the initiation.
Appearance eleventh
The ceremony continues. In a strange language, disguised actors act out the mamamushi initiation. Jourdain believes everything.
Appearance Twelfth
The Turks sing and dance.
Appearance thirteen
During the ceremony, Mr. Jourdain is placed on his knees so that his hands touch the ground, and the Koran is placed on his back. The mufti, clowning and mocking, allegedly conducts the ceremony. In the end, Jourdain is declared a nobleman and given a saber. Then the dancing Turks, supposedly continuing the initiation ceremony, beat Jourdain with the flat of their sabers, then they beat him with sticks. Eventually everyone leaves.
Act five
First appearance
Madame Jourdain appears and shouts at her husband that for no reason at all he has dressed himself up as a fool. Jourdain replies that he is now a mamamushi, so everyone should be respectful to him. Jourdain repeats all the ridiculous words he heard at the ceremony. The wife decides that he has gone crazy.
Second phenomenon
Dorant asks the marquise to support Coviel's idea to marry Cleont to Lucille. Dorimena agrees to everything and says that she decided to immediately marry Dorant so that he would no longer spend money on her. Mr. Jourdain appears.
The third phenomenon
Dorant congratulates Jourdain on his initiation into mamamushi and the upcoming marriage of Lucille to the son of the Turkish Sultan. Dorimena joins in the congratulations. Cleont appears, disguised as a Turk.
The fourth phenomenon
Dorant congratulates Cleont on his upcoming marriage and, addressing him as the son of the Turkish Sultan, expresses his respect.
Fifth appearance
Jourdain asks Coviel to translate to Cleonte that in front of him is the count and the marquise, people from high society.
Appearance Six
Lucille appears. She asks her father why he looks so strange and what kind of comedy this is. Lucille initially refuses to marry, but then she recognizes Cleonte in disguise and immediately agrees.
Seventh Appearance
Madame Jourdain is outraged that her husband is planning to marry off his daughter to a jester. Jourdain explains that Lucille will become the wife of the Turkish Sultan. Madame Jourdain is against. Dorant and Dorimena are trying to persuade Madame Jourdain to agree to this marriage and report that Lucille herself agreed. Madame Jourdain says that if her daughter did this, she will strangle her with her own hands.
Lucille appears, but her mother does not want to talk to her.
The disguised Coviel asks Madame Jourdain to listen to him and, taking her aside, explains that the whole masquerade was invented in order to marry Lucille to Cleonte. Madame Jourdain immediately announces to her husband that she gives her consent to the marriage. They are going to send for a notary.
Count Dorant announces that he is marrying the Marquise Dorimene, so it is better to celebrate two weddings at once. Jourdain thinks that Dorant is saying all this as a diversion. It doesn’t even occur to Jourdain that the count is really getting married.
While waiting for the notary, Dorant offers to watch the ballet. Jourdain declares that he is marrying the maid Nicole to the translator (Coviel in disguise). Satisfied Koviel thanks Jourdain.
« Tradesman in the nobility"(or "The Bourgeois Nobleman") is a comedy-ballet in five acts by Moliere and Jean Baptiste Lully, written in 1670. First presented on October 14, 1670 at the Chateau de Chambord in the presence of King Louis XIV. On November 28, the performance with the participation of Moliere in the role of Jourdain took place at the Palais Royal Theater.
The plot in brief is this:
The action takes place in the house of Mr. Jourdain, a tradesman. Mr. Jourdain is in love with an aristocrat, the Marquise Dorimena, and, trying to win her favor, tries to imitate the noble class in everything. Madame Jourdain and her maid Nicole make fun of him. Wanting to become a nobleman, Jourdain denies Cleonte the hand of his daughter Lucille. Then Cleont's servant Koviel comes up with a trick: under the guise of a Turkish dervish, he initiates Mr. Jourdain into the imaginary Turkish noble rank of mamamushi and arranges for Lucille to marry the son of the Turkish sultan, who is actually Cleont disguised as a Turk.
The history of the comedy "The Bourgeois in the Nobility"
In November 1669, a delegation of ambassadors from the Sultan of the Ottoman Empire (Ottoman Porte) Mehmed IV visited Paris. Wanting to impress the ambassadors, Louis XIV received them in all his grandeur. But the shine of diamonds, gold and silver, the luxury of expensive fabrics left the Turkish delegation indifferent. The king's annoyance was all the stronger because, as it turned out, the head of the delegation, Soliman Agha, turned out to be a deceiver, and not an ambassador of the Turkish Sultan. Louis orders Moliere and Lully a “funny Turkish ballet” in which the Turkish delegation would be ridiculed, for which he assigns him a consultant, the Chevalier d’Arvier, who recently returned from Turkey and is familiar with their language, customs and traditions. Around the “Turkish Ceremony”, during 10 days of rehearsals, an impromptu performance was created, shown to the king and the royal court on October 14, 1670 at the Chateau de Chambord in the scenery of Carlo Vigarani from the play “Monsieur de Poursonnac” and with dances by Pierre Beauchamp. A month later, the performance was transferred to Molière's permanent stage, at the Palais Royal theater, the first performance in Paris took place on November 28, 1670. During the author's lifetime, 42 performances were performed (6 in 1670, 28 in 1671 and 8 in 1672, not counting the court performances in October and November 1670: four in Chambord and several in Saint-Germain).
In Russia it was first staged in St. Petersburg on January 25, 1756. The first Russian translation of the comedy was made by Pyotr Svistunov and published in 1761.
Audio
A tradesman among the nobility.
Jean Baptiste Moliere
Tradesman in the nobility
Theater named after E.B. Vakhtangov, 1977
Director: Vladimir Shlesinger
Cast: Vladimir Etush, Elena Izmailova, Vladimir Osenev, Eleonora Shashkova, Vasily Lanovoi, Nina Ruslanova
The tradesman in the nobility summary
CHARACTERS:
Mister Jourdain, tradesman.
Madame Jourdain, his wife.
Lucille, their daughter.
Cleonte, a young man in love with Lucille.
Dorimena, marquise.
Dorant, a count in love with Dorimena.
Nicole, a maid in the house of Mr. Jourdain.
Koviel, servant of Cleont.
Action 1
Morning at Jourdain's house. A music teacher and a dance teacher discuss how lucky they were with Jourdain: “We found exactly the person we needed. Mr. Jourdain, with his obsession with the nobility and social manners, is just a treasure for us. His knowledge is not great, he judges everything at random and applauds where he should not, but money straightens the crookedness of his judgments, his common sense is in his wallet.”
Jourdain himself appears. Shows off his new robe to the teachers. The tailor said that all the nobles wear these, so he should too.
The dance teacher and music teacher ask Jourdain to look at what they composed especially for today's celebration (a noble lady, the marquise, with whom he is in love, will come to Jourdain for dinner). Jourdain looks indifferently at what the teachers present to him, he does not understand it, but he does not show it, since all noble people must understand art. Regarding the ballet, he makes the following remark: “It’s very cool: the dancers do a great job.”
Act 2
Teachers offer Jourdain to study music and dance. When Jourdain finds out that all noble people learn this, he agrees. Moreover, teachers give such “convincing” arguments, for example: all wars on earth arise from ignorance of music and inability to dance, because if everyone studied music, this would set people in a peaceful mood.
Jourdain asks the dance teacher to teach him how to bow, since he will have to bow to the Marquise. “If you wish this to be a respectful bow,” says the teacher, “then first step back and bow once, then approach her with three bows and finally bow at her feet.”
The fencing teacher comes in. His lesson begins. He explains to Jourdain that the whole secret of fencing is, firstly, to strike the enemy with blows, and secondly, so as not to receive such blows yourself, and for this you only need to learn how to move the enemy’s sword away from your body with a slight movement of the hand - to yourself or from yourself.
The next lesson is a philosophy lesson. The teacher asks what he would like to learn. To which Jourdain replies: “Everything I can: because I’m dying to become a scientist.” The philosopher offers Jourdain several topics to choose from - logic, ethics, physics. Jourdain asks to explain what these objects are, hears many unfamiliar and complex words and decides that this is not for him. He asks the teacher to work on spelling with him. A whole lesson they learn how vowels are pronounced. Jourdain rejoices like a child: it turns out that he knew much of this before. But at the same time, he discovers a lot of new things for himself, for example: in order to pronounce the sound U, you need to bring your upper lips closer to your lower ones, without squeezing them, and stretch your lips and also bring them closer together. At the same time, your lips stretch out, as if you are grimacing. Jourdain exclaims to this: “Oh, why didn’t I study before! I would have known all this already.”
Jourdain asks the philosopher to help him write a note, which he will drop at the feet of the marquise. A philosophy teacher asks how a note should be written, in prose or poetry? Jourdain wants neither prose nor poetry. The philosopher explains that this cannot be, because what is not poetry is prose, and what is not prose is poetry. Jourdain makes the discovery that he speaks in prose.
The tailor brings Jourdain to try on a suit. Jourdain notices that the tailor has a suit made of the same material as the suit he ordered from him earlier. The apprentice, putting a suit on Jourdain, calls him either Your Grace, or Your Excellency, or Your Grace. At the same time, Jourdain gives him money for every word and thinks to himself that if it comes to “Your Highness,” he will give away his entire wallet. But it didn’t come to that.
Act 3
Nicole sees her master in a new suit and can't stop laughing. Madame Jourdain says: “What is this new outfit you’re wearing, hubby? It’s true that you decided to make people laugh, since you dressed yourself up as a jester?” To which he replies that if they show it, it will only be fools and fools.
Jourdain decides to show his wife and maid what he has learned, and asks them questions: how to pronounce U, or whether they know how they say it now (in prose). Women cannot understand anything; Jourdain calls them ignoramuses. Next comes a demonstration of the art of fencing. Jourdain invites Nicole to stab him with a sword. She stabs several times. He shouts not to go so fast, otherwise he won’t have time to parry the blow.
Madame Jourdain reproaches her husband for being obsessed with all these whims after he decided to “hang around with important gentlemen.” Jourdain believes that this is much better than “hanging out with your philistines.” His wife claims that they are helpful to him only because he is rich and they can borrow money from him, citing Count Dorant as an example.
Dorant appears and lavishes compliments on Jourdain about the beauty appearance, asks how much money he owes him. After calculations, the amount came out to be fifteen thousand eight hundred. Dorant invites Jourdain to lend him another two hundred for good measure. Madame Jourdain calls her husband a “cash cow.”
Jourdain and Dorant are left alone. They are discussing the upcoming dinner today: Dorant will bring Dorimena under the guise of his friend. Dorant reminds Jourdain not to let slip about the diamond he gave to Dorimena through him, because she doesn’t like being reminded about it.
Nicole tells Madame Jourdain that the men are up to something. “My hubby has been under my suspicion for a long time. I bet my head that he’s hitting on someone,” answers Madame Jourdain.
Cleont is in love with Lucille. Madame Jourdain advises him to ask her husband for her daughter's hand in marriage. Jourdain, first of all, asks if he is a nobleman? The young man replies that no, and does not hide it. Jourdain refuses him. The wife reminds us that they themselves are philistines. My husband doesn't want to hear anything.
Dorant brings the marquise. Everything that Jourdain arranges for her here, he passes off as his own. Diamond also counts among his gifts.
Jourdain appears and asks the marquise to take a step back because he does not have enough room to bow.
Act 4
Luxurious lunch accompanied by ballet and music. The Marquise reproaches Dorant that he shouldn’t have spent so much money.
Madame Jourdain appears and causes a scandal. Dorimena doesn’t understand anything, gets up and leaves. Dorant runs after her. Jourdain explains that the Marquise came with Dorant.
Koviel and Cleont come up with a plan. Cleont disguises himself as the son of the Turkish Sultan and asks Jourdain for Lucille's hand in marriage. At the same time, Jourdain himself is initiated into “mamamushi”, this word is translated to him as “paladin”. They put Jourdain on his knees, put the Koran on his back and begin to clown around.
The “son of the Sultan” appears and talks to Jourdain through an interpreter (Koviel). Jourdain agrees to the marriage. At this time, Dorant and Dorimena arrive (they were privy to the essence of the matter by Cleon, who asked them to play along), and express their respect to the “son of the Sultan.”
Madame Jourdain suggests sending for a notary so that he can conclude the marriage. Dorant announces that he and the marquise have also decided to enter into a legal marriage. Jourdain regards this as an attempt to divert suspicion from him. Lucille and Koviel also decide to get married.
Comedy "The Bourgeois in the Nobility":
plot, issues, characters
The literal translation of this play is “The Bourgeois Nobleman.” This is one of those plays where he himself played the role of his character. — Molière’s talent as a director and actor combines. The hero of the play is Mr. Jourdain, a man absorbed in one dream - to become a nobleman, to be like them in everything. The plot of this play is deep. roots. The hero himself belongs to that category of Moliere's heroes who, being possessed by mania, discover the ability to live in an imaginary world, not noticing reality. Mr. Jourdain's admiration for the nobles takes the most ridiculous, absurd turns, but the society that Jourdain so strives to get into reveals its kinship with the world of shopkeepers. There is also deception here, people are ready to do soulless, base acts for the sake of money. Unlike her husband, Madame Jourdain is a sensible, practical woman. She sees the true faces of aristocrats. Madame Jourdain understands that the nobles are only friends with her husband for profit. The aristocratic society in the play is trying in every possible way to shake money out of Jourdain. All this is clear to both the reader and viewer. Only he, until the very end, remains in the absolute conviction that all aristocrats are subtle, noble people. The climax of the play is a clownish ceremony supposedly calling for the initiation of Mr. Jourdain into the nobility. However, behind the obvious satirical pathos of the play, surprise at the infantile gullibility of Mr. Jourdain shines through. Mr. Jourdain's desire to learn cannot but command respect. Mr. Jourdain says: “Let them tear me out even now in front of everyone, just to know everything that is taught at school.” It does not cause disgust, but laughter, because... bows to the nobility sincerely and selflessly. The nobility in his view is a class of unusually smart, subtle, educated people. He does not remember that those whom he wants to imitate are adventurers and swindlers. The theme of money and art also appears on the pages of the play. Moliere shows that creatively gifted people have fallen into oblivion. They receive meager money and are forced to choose. They have 2 options: 1) they can create truly great things, work for those people who are able to feel the subtleties of art, but in this case these people will starve. Their way is to waste their art on fools, to waste their talent on trifles. In this case, people will be well-fed and rich. This theme acquires resonance already in the first act of the play, in the dialogue between the music teacher and the dance teacher. They come to the conclusion that Mr. Jourdain has no ability, but pays them a lot of money, and therefore they will train him. In this play, Moliere ridicules Jourdain's servile self-abasement, his timid delight in the fact that the swindler Count treats him as an equal.
Analysis of the play “The Bourgeois in the Nobility.”
All events in the comedy take place over the course of one day in the house of Mr. Jourdain. The first two acts are an exposition of the comedy: here we are introduced to the character of Mr. Jourdain. He is shown surrounded by teachers, with the help of whom he tries to prepare as best as possible for the reception of Dorimena. Teachers, like the tailor, “play” Mr. Jourdain: they teach him wisdom that costs nothing.
Active events unfold from the third act. The Marquise and the Count play a prank on Monsieur Jourdain by assigning him a secondary place at the banquet. Then he is played by the resourceful Cleont, who appears before Jourdain in the form of a Turkish nobleman and uses tricks to achieve his consent to the wedding with Lucille.
The play is structured according to a typical Molierean scheme. While Mr. Jourdain is blinded by his passion for the Marquise and everything noble, Count Dorant consciously and purposefully moves towards the goal of marriage. At the same time, he inventively uses the self-blinding of Mr. Jourdain.
The theme of the work is Mr. Jourdain’s obsession with nobility; criticism of the aristocracy and exposure of the slavish crawling of the bourgeoisie before the ruling class.
Genre: comedy-ballet, classic comedy with elements of folk farce, ancient comedy and Renaissance comedies.
Mister Jourdain. In order to understand what Moliere makes fun of in his comedy, let us turn to the images of the work, and above all, to the image of Mr. Jourdain.
The main character Jourdain has everything a person could want: family, money, health. Behind his origins, Jourdain is a bourgeois whose parents were merchants, but he is ashamed of his origins and lifestyle.
The main character trait of Mr. Jourdain is his mania, passion for everything noble. He strives to get into high society, to become noble nobleman. Of course, no one is prohibited from self-improvement. However, Mr. Jourdain chose the wrong path and an illusory goal, which cannot be called worthy. He decided to become the lover of the Marquise Dorimena and, thanks to her, enter aristocratic circles. The pinnacle of his aspirations is to be accepted by the king himself.
To look like a nobleman, he tries to do everything like aristocrats. Having abandoned his affairs, Jourdain hires teachers of dancing, fencing, music, philosophy, who, laughing behind his back, teach for a high salary everything that is generally accepted among aristocrats. With their help, he tries to master the skills and manners of nobles, learns to dance and fencing. Jourdain needed dancing lessons in order to bow elegantly to the Marquise; fencing is good because... “even a coward can kill his enemy, but he himself will always remain intact.” Mr. Jourdain studies music only because “the noble gentleman also studies music.” And the whole “philosophy” comes down to almost one thing: how best to write a note to one high-society lady.
Teachers know the real value of Mr. Jourdain. So, from their remarks, a nonentity man emerges who “doesn’t understand anything,” but has money, although he has no taste.
Jourdain does not know the specifics of music at all, and does not understand dance. This is evidenced by his statement: “Will you show me your little joke? Well, that one... Or whatever you think? Your prologue or dialogue with singing and dancing? He has no taste, because he cannot evaluate what he heard and saw: “Is that all? The order has been chosen... and the expressions are so clever... And again the shepherds?
His ignorance is revealed during his conversation with the philosopher. Jourdain is not familiar with any of the sciences, he is frightened by incomprehensible words and terms, he does not see the difference between poetry and prose.
And only in spelling does he see meaning. Moliere depicts a comic situation with the pronunciation of sounds, using language as a means to create the comic.
The senseless desire for inheritance of aristocrats is especially ridiculed by the playwright in the scenes of Jourdain’s training in the noble “sciences and arts.” What causes laughter is not the learning process itself - there is nothing funny in the fact that a person wants to get an education - but the shameful crawling, lackey humiliation of Jourdain in front of court ranks and titles, the ridiculous attempt to achieve an aristocratic position in society. Mr. Jourdain defines the content of his training as follows: “I want to gain intelligence so as not to shepherd the rear in a decent society.”
The defining feature of Jourdain’s image is vanity (arrogance, arrogance). Dreaming of being like the nobles, Jourdain is ready to pay a lot for people to treat him as someone of noble birth. This is clearly shown in the scene with the tailor (act II, reality 9). The comic is created through the use of titles by the lackey, the excessive “promotion” of Jourdain from “noble gentleman” to “your lordship”.
But Jourdain has not yet completely lost his common sense. He's not stupid at all. So, Jourdain saw that the tailor stole his fabric (scene with the tailor), he knows how to count money (scene with Dorant).
Jourdain is simple, straightforward, trusting. The blind trust of Mr. Jourdain and his simplicity were best demonstrated in the banquet scene (act III, scene 18, I9; act IV, scene 1). A person less blinded by his destructive passion and observant would have noticed long ago that the marquise had not even heard of him that day, and considered his presence at the table to be accidental.
The trusting Mr. Jourdain consoles himself with the thought that the count praises him to the marquise and gives her gifts from him. And he borrows money because he has unlimited faith in Dorant as a nobleman.
Seized by the mania of the nobility, Jourdain despotically prohibits the marriage of his daughter Lucille to her lover, Cleont, on the grounds that he is “not a nobleman.” But he agrees to marry his daughter even to a Turk, as long as he is a nobleman. Only the cheerful invention of Koviel, Cleonte's servant, about the son of the Turkish Sultan, who came supposedly to ask for the hand of Jourdain's daughter, helps Lucille and Cleonte get married.
At the end of the comedy, Mr. Jourdain is “cured” of his mania and returns to his wife. The experiment of transforming Mr. Jourdain into the nobility ends unsuccessfully, since his bourgeois nature takes over, in addition, the ideals of the aristocracy to which he wanted to belong are also questionable. Common sense wins.
Jean-Baptiste Moliere.
Tradesman in the nobility
Comedy in five acts Translation by N. Lyubimov Poems translated by A. Argo
COMEDY CHARACTERS
Mr. Jourdain, tradesman. Madame Jourdain, his wife. Lucille, their daughter. Cleonte, a young man in love with Lucille. Dorimena, marquise. Dorant, a count in love with Dorimena Nicole, a servant in the house of Mr. Jourdain. Koviel, servant of Cleont. Music teacher. Music teacher student. Dance teacher. Fencing teacher. Philosophy teacher. Tailor. Tailor's apprentice. Two footmen.BALLET CHARACTERS
In the first act the Singer. Two singers. Dancers. In the second act, Tailor's Apprentices. (dancing). In the third act of the Cook (dancing). In the fourth act, the Turkish ceremony of the Mufti. Turks, Mufti's retinue (singing). Dervishes (singing). Turks (dancing). The action takes place in Paris, in the house of Mr. Jourdain.*ACT ONE*
The overture is performed by a variety of instruments; in the middle of the scene at the table, a music teacher's student is composing a melody for a serenade ordered by M. Jourdain.Phenomenon I
A music teacher, a dance teacher, two singers, a singer, two violinists, four dancers. Music teacher (singers and musicians). Come here, to this room, rest until he arrives. Dance teacher (to dancers). And you too, stand on this side. Music teacher (to the student) . Ready? Student. Ready. Music teacher. Let's see... Very good. Dance teacher. Anything new? Music teacher. Yes, I told the student to compose music for a serenade while our eccentric woke up. Dance teacher. Can I have a look? Music teacher. You will hear this along with the dialogue as soon as the owner appears. He'll be out soon. Dance teacher. Now you and I have things going over our heads. Music teacher. Still would! We found exactly the person we needed. Mr. Jourdain, with his obsession with the nobility and social manners, is just a treasure for us. If everyone became like him, then your dances and my music would have nothing more to wish for. Dance teacher. Well, not quite. I would like, for his own good, that he would have a better understanding of the things that we explain to him. Music teacher. He doesn’t understand them well, but he pays well, and our arts need nothing more now than this. Dance teacher. I'll admit, I'm a little partial to fame. Applause gives me pleasure, but to waste my art on fools, to submit my creations to the barbaric court of a fool - this, in my opinion, is an unbearable torture for any artist. Whatever you say, it’s nice to work for people who are able to feel the subtleties of this or that art, who know how to appreciate the beauty of works and reward you for your work with flattering signs of approval. Yes, the most pleasant reward is to see that your creation is recognized, that you are honored for it with applause. In my opinion, this is the best reward for all our hardships - the praise of an enlightened person gives inexplicable pleasure. Music teacher. I agree with this, I myself love praise. Indeed, there is nothing more flattering than applause, but you can’t live on incense. Praise alone is not enough for a person; give him something more significant. The best way to reward someone is to put something in your hand. Frankly speaking, our master’s knowledge is not great, he judges everything crookedly and at random and applauds where he shouldn’t, but money straightens the crookedness of his judgments, his common sense is in his wallet, his praises are minted in the form of coins, so from this ignorant philistine we, as you see, benefit much more than from the enlightened nobleman who brought us here. Dance teacher. There is some truth in your words, but it seems to me that you attach too much importance to money; Meanwhile, self-interest is something so base that a decent person should not show any special inclination towards it. Music teacher. However, you calmly take money from our eccentric. Dance teacher. Of course, I take it, but money is not the main thing for me. If only he had a little good taste in addition to his wealth, that’s what I would like. Music teacher. Me too, because we both strive for this to the best of our ability. But be that as it may, thanks to him, people began to pay attention to us in society, and what others will praise, he will pay for. Dance teacher. And here he is.Phenomenon II
Mr. Jourdain in a dressing gown and nightcap, a music teacher, a dancing teacher, a music teacher's student, a singer, two singers, violinists, dancers, two footmen. Mr. Jourdain. Well, gentlemen? How are you doing there? Will you show me your trinket today? Dance teacher. What? What trinket? Mr. Jourdain. Well, this one... What do you call it? It's either a prologue or a dialogue with songs and dances. Dance teacher. ABOUT! ABOUT! Music teacher. As you can see, we are ready. Mr. Jourdain. I hesitated a little, but the point is this: I dress now as nobles dress, and my tailor sent me silk stockings, so tight - really, I thought I would never get them on. Music teacher. We are entirely at your service. Mr. Jourdain. I ask you both not to leave until they bring me my new suit: I want you to look at me. Dance teacher. As you wish. Mr. Jourdain. You will see that now I am dressed from head to toe as I should be. Music teacher. We have no doubt about this. Mr. Jourdain. I made myself a robe from Indian fabric. Dance teacher. Great robe. Mr. Jourdain. My tailor assures me that all the nobles wear such robes in the morning. Music teacher. It suits you amazingly. Mr. Jourdain. Lackey! Hey, my two lackeys! First footman. What do you order, sir? Mr. Jourdain. I won't order anything. I just wanted to check how you obey me. (To the music teacher and dance teacher.) How do you like their liveries? Dance teacher. Magnificent liveries. Mr. Jourdain (opens his robe; underneath he has tight red velvet trousers and a green velvet camisole). And here is my home suit for morning exercises. Music teacher. Abyss of taste! Mr. Jourdain. Lackey! First footman. Anything, sir? Mr. Jourdain. Another lackey! Second footman. Anything, sir? Mr. Jourdain (takes off his robe). Hold it. (To the music teacher and dance teacher.) Well, am I good in this outfit? Dance teacher. Very good. It couldn't be better. Mr. Jourdain. Now let's get busy with you. Music teacher. First of all, I would like you to listen to the music that here it is (points to student) wrote for the serenade you ordered. This is my student, he has amazing abilities for such things. Mr. Jourdain. It may very well be, but still you shouldn’t have entrusted this to a student. It remains to be seen whether you yourself are fit for such a task, let alone a student. Music teacher. The word "student" should not confuse you, sir. Students of this kind understand music no worse than great masters. In fact, you couldn’t imagine a more wonderful motive. Just listen. Mr. Jourdain (to the lackeys). Give me a robe, it’s more convenient to listen... However, wait, perhaps it’s better without a robe. No, give me a robe, it will be better. Singer Iris, I am languishing, suffering is destroying me, Your stern gaze pierced me like a sharp sword. When you torment someone who loves you so much, How terrible are you to the one who dared to incur your wrath! Mr. Jourdain. In my opinion, this is a rather mournful song, it makes you sleepy. I would ask you to make it a little more fun. Music teacher. The motive must correspond to the words, sir. Mr. Jourdain. I was recently taught a very nice song. Wait... now, now... How does it start? Dance teacher. Really, I don't know. Mr. Jourdain. It also talks about a sheep. Dance teacher. About the sheep? Mr. Jourdain. Yes Yes. Oh, here it is! (Sings.) I considered Jeanette both kind and beautiful, I considered Jeanette a sheep, but, ah! She is cunning and dangerous, Like a lioness in virgin forests! Isn't it a nice song? Music teacher. Still not nice! Dance teacher. And you sing it well. Mr. Jourdain. But I didn’t study music. Music teacher. It would be good for you, sir, to learn not only dancing, but also music. These two types of art are inextricably linked. Dance teacher. They develop a sense of grace in a person. Mr. Jourdain. What, noble gentlemen also study music? Music teacher. Of course, sir. Mr. Jourdain. Well, that’s how I’ll start studying. I just don’t know when: after all, in addition to a fencing teacher, I also hired a philosophy teacher - he should start studying with me this morning. Music teacher. Philosophy is an important matter, but music, sir, music... Dance teacher. Music and dancing... Music and dancing are all a person needs. . Music teacher. There is nothing more useful for the state than music. Dance teacher. There is nothing more necessary for a person than dancing. Music teacher. Without music, the state cannot exist. Dance teacher. Without dancing, a person would not be able to do anything. Music teacher. All strife, all wars on earth arise solely from ignorance of music. Dance teacher. All human misfortunes, all the misadventures with which history is full, the mistakes of statesmen, the mistakes of great commanders - all this stems solely from the inability to dance. Mr. Jourdain. How so? Music teacher. War arises from disagreement between people, doesn't it? Mr. Jourdain. Right. Music teacher. And if everyone studied music, wouldn’t it put people in a peaceful mood and contribute to the reign of universal peace on earth? Mr. Jourdain. And that's true. Dance teacher. When a person does not act as he should, be it just the father of a family, or a statesman, or a military leader, they usually say about him that he took the wrong step, isn’t it? Mr. Jourdain. Yes, that's what they say. Dance teacher. What else could cause a wrong step if not the inability to dance? Mr. Jourdain. Yes, I agree with this too. You're both right. Dance teacher. We say all this so that you understand the advantages and benefits of dancing and music. Mr. Jourdain. I understand now. Music teacher. Would you like to familiarize yourself with our writings? Mr. Jourdain. Anything. Music teacher. As I already told you, this is my long-standing attempt to express all the passions that music can convey. Mr. Jourdain. Wonderful. Music teacher (to singers). Come here. (To Mr. Jourdain.) You have to imagine that they are dressed as shepherdesses. Mr. Jourdain. And why are these always shepherdesses?! Always the same. Dance teacher. When speaking to music, for greater verisimilitude one has to resort to pastoral music. From time immemorial, shepherds have been credited with a love of singing; on the other hand, it would be very unnatural if princes or commoners began to express their feelings in singing. Mr. Jourdain. OK OK. Let's see. MUSICAL DIALOGUE Singer and two singers. Singer of the Heart in the rapture of love Always encounters thousands of obstacles. Love brings us both happiness and longing. It is not for nothing that there is such an opinion that the dearest thing for us is not to know the joys of love. First singer No, what is dearest to us is that endless joy that unites the hearts of lovers. There can be no bliss on earth without passion. Whoever neglects love will never know happiness. Second singer Oh, who would not want love to taste power, If only passion were not deceptive! But, oh, what to do with evil fate? There is not a single faithful shepherdess here, And the unworthy sex, disgracing the white world, Testifies to us that there is no longer any loyalty. First singer Oh, trembling hearts! Singer Oh, passion in the eyes! Second singer Total lies! First singer That moment is dear to me! Singer They are full of joy! Second singer I despise everyone! First singer Oh, don’t be angry, forget your immeasurable anger! Singer We will lead you now To a loving and faithful shepherdess. Second singer Alas! There are none worthy among you! Singer I'm going to the test, - Here's my love for you. Second singer Who will guarantee in advance that you won’t be deceived again? Singer He who is faithful, let him prove His tender ardor of heart. Second singer Let the sky will punish him, Who shamefully cheated. All three together Flame above us, The crown of love burns. The merging of two hearts - What could be sweeter? Mr. Jourdain. And it's all? Music teacher. All. Mr. Jourdain. In my opinion, it was cleverly twisted. Here and there you come across some very interesting words. Dance teacher. And now it’s my turn: I will offer you a small sample of the most graceful body movements and the most graceful poses that a dance can consist of. Mr. Jourdain. Shepherds again? Dance teacher. It's as you please. (To the dancers.) Get started. B A LET Four dancers, following the instructions of the dance teacher, make various movements and perform all kinds of steps.*ACT TWO*
Phenomenon I
Mr. Jourdain, music teacher, dance teacher. Mr. Jourdain. It’s really cool: the dancers are doing a great job. Dance teacher. And when the dance is accompanied by music, the impression is even stronger. We have composed a ballet for you; you will see how charming it is. Mr. Jourdain. I will need it today: the person in whose honor I am arranging all this should come to dinner with me. Dance teacher. All is ready. Music teacher. One thing is missing, sir: a person like you, with all your splendor, with your penchant for the fine arts, should definitely give concerts on Wednesdays or Thursdays. Mr. Jourdain. Do noble gentlemen have concerts? Music teacher. Of course, sir. Mr. Jourdain. Then I will start giving. And will it work out well? Music teacher. No doubt. You will need three voices: soprano, contralto and bass, and for accompaniment a viola, a lute and, for the bass parts, a harpsichord, and two violins for the ritornellos. Mr. Jourdain. It would be nice to have a sea pipe as well. I love her very much, she is pleasant to the ear. Music teacher. Leave everything to us. Mr. Jourdain. Don't forget to send singers so that there is someone to sing during lunch. Music teacher. You will not lack anything. Mr. Jourdain. The main thing is that the ballet is good. Music teacher. You will be pleased, especially with some of the minuets. Mr. Jourdain. Ah, the minuet is my favorite dance! Look how I dance it. Come on, Mister Teacher! Dance teacher. Please, sir, put on your hat. Monsieur Jourdain takes his footman's hat and puts it on over his nightcap. The dance teacher takes Mr. Jourdain by the hand and, singing a minuet, dances with him. La-la-la, la-la-la, la-la-la-la, la-la-la, la-la-la, la-la-la, la-la-la, la-la-la, la-la-la, la-la. Please, keep the beat. La-la-la, la-la. Don't bend your knees. La-la-la. Don't shrug your shoulders. La-la, la-la-la-la, la-la, la-la. Do not spread your arms. La-la-la, la-la. Head up. Keep your socks apart. La-la-la. The body is straight. Mr. Jourdain. So how? Dance teacher. It couldn't be better. Mr. Jourdain. By the way, teach me to bow to the Marquise, I will need it soon. Dance teacher. Bow to the marquise? Mr. Jourdain. Yes. Her name is Dorimena. Dance teacher. Allow me your hand. Mr. Jourdain. No need. Just show me, and I’ll remember. Dance teacher. If you want this to be a very respectful bow, then first step back and bow once, then approach her with three bows and finally bow at her feet. Mr. Jourdain. Well, show me. The dance teacher shows. It's clear.Phenomenon II
Mr. Jourdain, music teacher, dance teacher, footman. Lackey. Sir, the fencing teacher has arrived. Mr. Jourdain. Tell him to come in and start the lesson. (To the music teacher and dance teacher.) And look how it turns out for me.Scene III
M. Jourdain, fencing teacher, music teacher, dancing teacher and footman with two rapiers. fencing teacher (takes two rapiers from the footman and gives one of them to Mr. Jourdain). I ask you, sir: bow. The body is straight. Light emphasis on the left thigh. You don't have to spread your legs like that. Both feet are on the same line. Hand at hip level. The end of the rapier is directly against the shoulder. You don't have to stretch your hand like that. The left hand is at eye height. Left shoulder back. Head straight. Confident look. Lunge. The body is motionless. Parry with a quart and leave in the same parade. One, two. Into position. Start again with confidence. Step back. When you lunge, you need the rapier to be carried forward, and your body to be protected from the blow as much as possible. One, two. I ask you: parry with a terce and retreat in the same parade. Lunge. The body is motionless. Lunge. Get into position. One, two. Start again. Step back. Defend yourself, sir, defend yourself! (With a cry: “Defend yourself!” he stabs Mr. Jourdain several times.) Mr. Jourdain. So how? Music teacher. You are doing miracles. Fencing teacher. As I already told you: the whole secret of fencing is, firstly, to inflict blows on the enemy, and secondly, not to receive them yourself, and you will never receive them if, as I proved to you last time By means of a clear example, learn to move the enemy's sword away from your body, and for this you only need a slight movement of the hand - towards or away from you. Mr. Jourdain. Therefore, in this manner, every person, even not one of the brave ones, can surely kill another, but he himself will remain unharmed? Fencing teacher. Certainly. Didn’t I clearly prove this to you? Mr. Jourdain. They proved it. Fencing teacher. From this it is clear what a high position we, fencing teachers, should occupy in the state and how much higher the science of fencing is than all other useless sciences, such as dancing, music and... Dance teacher. But, but, Mr. Fencer! Speak respectfully about dancing. Music teacher. Be kind, learn to respect the merits of music. Fencing teacher. You are just funny! How can you put your sciences on the same level as mine? Music teacher. Just think, an important bird! Dance teacher. Put on a bib, stuffed animal! Fencing teacher. Beware, dancer, you will not dance with me, but you, little musician, will sing with an angelic voice. Dance teacher. And I, Mr. Fighter, will teach you how to fight. Mr. Jourdain (to the dance teacher). You're crazy! Start a quarrel with a man who knows all the terces and quarts like the back of his hand and can kill his opponent by direct example? Dance teacher. I didn’t give a damn about his clear example and all his ters and quarts. Mr. Jourdain (to the dance teacher). Enough, they tell you! fencing teacher (to the dance teacher). Oh, that's how you are, you impudent little bastard! Mr. Jourdain. Calm down, dear fencing master! Dance teacher (to fencing teacher). Oh, there you are, a draft horse! Mr. Jourdain. Calm down, dear dance master! Fencing teacher. I just need to get to you... Mr. Jourdain (to fencing teacher). Quiet! Dance teacher. I just have to reach you... Mr. Jourdain (to the dance teacher). It will be for you! Fencing teacher. I'll beat you up! Mr. Jourdain (to fencing teacher). For God's sake! Dance teacher. I'm going to blow you up so much... Mr. Jourdain (to the dance teacher). I beg you! Music teacher. No, let me, we’ll teach him good manners. Mr. Jourdain (to the music teacher). My God! Stop it!Phenomenon IV
Philosophy teacher, Mr. Jourdain, music teacher, dance teacher, fencing teacher, footman. Mr. Jourdain. Ah, Mr. Philosopher! You came just in time with your philosophy. Somehow reconcile these gentlemen. Philosophy teacher. What's the matter? What happened, gentlemen? Mr. Jourdain. They quarreled over whose craft was better, they quarreled and almost came to blows. Philosophy teacher. Come on, gentlemen! How can you push yourself to such an extreme? Haven't you read Seneca's learned treatise on anger? What could be lower and more shameful than this passion, which turns a person into a wild beast? All movements of our heart should be subordinated to the mind, right? Dance teacher. Have mercy, sir! I teach dancing, my friend studies music, and he spoke contemptuously about our classes and insulted both of us! Philosophy teacher. A sage is above any insult. The best response to bullying is restraint and patience. Fencing teacher. They have the audacity to compare their craft to mine! Philosophy teacher. Is this a cause for concern? Because of vain fame and because of position in society, people should not enter into competition with each other: where we differ sharply from each other is in wisdom and virtue. Dance teacher. I maintain that dancing is a science worthy of all admiration. Music teacher. And I stand on the fact that music has been revered in all centuries. Fencing teacher. And I prove to them that the science of wielding weapons is the most beautiful and most useful of all sciences. Philosophy teacher. Excuse me, what then is philosophy? All three of you are pretty impudent, as I see it: you dare to speak such insolence in my presence and without a twinge of conscience you call sciences activities that are not worthy of the honor of being called arts and which can only be equated with the pitiful crafts of street drivers, singers and dancers! Fencing teacher. Be silent, canine philosopher! Music teacher. Shut up, you stupid pedant! Dance teacher. Be silent, learned cracker! Philosophy teacher. Oh, you creatures... (He rushes at them, they shower him with blows.) Mr. Jourdain. Mister Philosopher! Philosophy teacher. Scoundrels, scoundrels, impudent people! Mr. Jourdain. Mister Philosopher! Fencing teacher. Reptile! Cattle! Mr. Jourdain. Gentlemen! Philosophy teacher. Insolent people! Mr. Jourdain. Mister Philosopher! Dance teacher. Donkey head! Mr. Jourdain. Gentlemen! Philosophy teacher. Scoundrels! Mr. Jourdain. Mister Philosopher! Music teacher. Get the hell out, you impudent one! Mr. Jourdain. Gentlemen! Philosophy teacher. Swindlers, scoundrels, swindling beasts, crooks! Mr. Jourdain. Mister Philosopher! Gentlemen! Mister Philosopher! Gentlemen! Mister Philosopher! All the teachers leave, still fighting.Phenomenon V
Mr. Jourdain, footman. Mr. Jourdain. Eh, okay, fight as much as you want! My business is the side, I won’t separate you, otherwise you’ll tear off your robe. You have to be a complete fool to get involved with them, the hour is uneven, they will get so hot that you won’t recognize your own people.Scene VI
Philosophy teacher, Mr. Jourdain, footman. Philosophy teacher (straightening collar) . Let's start the lesson. Mr. Jourdain. Oh, Mr. Teacher, how annoying it is for me that they beat you! Philosophy teacher. Nothing. A philosopher must treat everything calmly. I will write a satire on them in the spirit of Juvenal, and this satire will completely destroy them. But enough about that. So what do you want to learn? Mr. Jourdain. Whatever I can do: after all, I desperately want to become a scientist, and my father and mother are so angry that I was not taught all the sciences from an early age! Philosophy teacher. This is an understandable feeling, nam sine doctrina vita est quasi mortis imago. This should be clear to you, because you certainly know Latin. Mr. Jourdain. Yes, but you still talk as if I don’t know her. Explain to me what this means. Philosophy teacher. This means: without science, life is like a semblance of death. Mr. Jourdain. Latin says it all. Philosophy teacher. Do you have the basics, the beginnings of any knowledge? Mr. Jourdain. But of course, I can read and write. Philosophy teacher. Where would you like to start? Do you want me to teach you logic? Mr. Jourdain. What is this thing - logic? Philosophy teacher. It is a science that teaches us three processes of thinking. Mr. Jourdain. Who are they, these three thought processes? Philosophy teacher. First, second and third. The first is to form a correct idea of things through universals, the second is to judge them correctly through categories, and finally the third is to make a correct inference through figures: Barbara , Celarent, Darii, Ferio, Baralipton and so on. Mr. Jourdain. The words are too tricky. No, logic doesn't suit me. Better something more enticing. Philosophy teacher. Want to get into ethics? Mr. Jourdain. Ethics? Philosophy teacher. Yes. Mr. Jourdain. What is this ethics about? Philosophy teacher. She talks about the happiness of life, teaches people to moderate their passions and... Mr. Jourdain. No, don't. I am as hot-tempered as a hundred devils, and no ethics can restrain me: I want to rage as much as I want when I am overcome with anger. Philosophy teacher. Maybe physics fascinates you? Mr. Jourdain. What is physics about? Philosophy teacher. Physics studies the laws of the external world and the properties of bodies, talks about the nature of the elements, the characteristics of metals, minerals, stones, plants, animals and explains the causes of all kinds of atmospheric phenomena, such as: rainbows, will-o'-the-wisps, comets, lightning, thunder, lightning, rain , snow, hail, winds and whirlwinds. Mr. Jourdain. There's too much chatter, too much fancy stuff. Philosophy teacher. So what do you want to do? Mr. Jourdain. Practice spelling with me. Philosophy teacher. With pleasure. Mr. Jourdain. Then teach me to find out from the calendar when there is a moon and when there is not. Philosophy teacher. Fine. If we consider this subject from a philosophical point of view, then, in order to fully satisfy your desire, it is necessary, as order requires, to begin with an accurate concept of the nature of letters and in various ways their utterances. First of all, I must tell you that the letters are divided into vowels, so named because they indicate the sounds of the voice, and consonants, so called because they are pronounced with vowels and serve only to indicate various changes in the voice. There are five vowels, or, in other words, vocal sounds: A, E, I, O, U. Mr. Jourdain. This is all clear to me. Philosophy teacher. To pronounce the sound A, you need to open your mouth wide: A. Mr. Jourdain. Ah, Ah. Yes! Philosophy teacher. To pronounce the sound E, you need to bring the lower jaw closer to the upper: A, E. Mr. Jourdain. A, E, A, E. Indeed! That's great! Philosophy teacher. To pronounce the sound I, you need to bring your jaws even closer together, and pull the corners of your mouth towards your ears: A, E, I. Mr. Jourdain. A, E, I, I, I. That's right! Long live science! Philosophy teacher. To pronounce the sound O, you need to move your jaws apart and bring the corners of your lips closer together: O. Mr. Jourdain. Oh, Oh. The true truth! A, E, I, O, I, O. Amazing thing! I, O, I, O. Philosophy teacher. The opening of the mouth takes the shape of the very circle through which the sound O is depicted. Mr. Jourdain. Oh, Oh, Oh. You're right. A. How nice it is to know that you learned something! Philosophy teacher. To pronounce the sound U, you need to bring your upper teeth closer to your lower teeth, without squeezing them, however, and stretch out your lips and also bring them closer together, but so that they are not tightly clenched: U. Mr. Jourdain. U, U. Absolutely fair! U. Philosophy teacher. At the same time, your lips stretch out, as if you are grimacing. That's why, if you want to make a face at someone in mockery, you just have to say: W. Mr. Jourdain. U, U. That's right! Oh, why didn’t I study before! I would have known all this already. Philosophy teacher. Tomorrow we will look at other letters, the so-called consonants. Mr. Jourdain. Are they as interesting as these? Philosophy teacher. Of course. When you pronounce the sound D, for example, you want the tip of your tongue to rest on the top of your upper teeth: YES. Mr. Jourdain. YES YES. So! Oh, how great, how great! Philosophy teacher. To pronounce F, you need to press your upper teeth to your lower lip: FA. Mr. Jourdain. FA, FA. And that's true! Eh, father and mother, well, how can we not remember you in a bad way! Philosophy teacher. And in order to pronounce the sound R, you need to put the tip of your tongue to the upper palate, however, under the pressure of air, forcefully escaping from the chest, the tongue constantly returns to its original place, which causes some trembling: R-RA. Mr. Jourdain. R-R-R-RA, R-R-R-R-R-RA. What a young man you are! And I wasted so much time! R-R-R-RA. Philosophy teacher. I will explain all these interesting things to you in detail. Mr. Jourdain. Be so kind! And now I have to tell you a secret. I am in love with a high-society lady, and I would like you to help me write her a note, which I am going to drop at her feet. Philosophy teacher. Great. Mr. Jourdain. Surely that would be polite? Philosophy teacher. Certainly. Do you want to write her poetry? Mr. Jourdain. No, no, not poetry. Philosophy teacher. Do you prefer prose? Mr. Jourdain. No, I don’t want either prose or poetry. Philosophy teacher. It’s not possible: it’s either one or the other. Mr. Jourdain. Why? Philosophy teacher. For the reason, sir, that we can express our thoughts in no other way than in prose or verse. Mr. Jourdain. Not otherwise than in prose or poetry? Philosophy teacher. Not otherwise, sir. Everything that is not prose is poetry, and everything that is not poetry is prose. Mr. Jourdain. And when we talk, what will happen? Philosophy teacher. Prose. Mr. Jourdain. What? When I say, “Nicole, bring me some shoes and a nightcap,” is that prose? Philosophy teacher. Yes, sir. Mr. Jourdain. Honestly, I had no idea that I had been speaking in prose for over forty years. Thank you very much for telling me. So this is what I want to write to her: “Beautiful marquise, your beautiful eyes promise me death from love,” but is it not possible to say the same thing more kindly, to express it somehow more beautifully? Philosophy teacher. Write that the flame of her eyes incinerated your heart, that you endure such hard things day and night because of her... Mr. Jourdain. No, no, no, all this is not necessary. I want to write to her only what I told you: “Beautiful marquise, your beautiful eyes promise me death from love.” Philosophy teacher. It should have been a little more authentic. Mr. Jourdain. No, they tell you! I don’t want the note to contain anything other than these words, but they just need to be arranged properly, as is customary these days. Please give me some examples so that I know which order is best to follow. Philosophy teacher. The order may be, firstly, the one that you established yourself: “Beautiful marquise, your beautiful eyes promise me death from love.” Or: “Love promises me death, beautiful marquise, your beautiful eyes.” Or: “Your beautiful eyes promise me death from love, beautiful marquise.” Or: “Your beautiful eyes, beautiful marquise, promise me death from love.” Or: “Your beautiful eyes, beautiful marquise, promise me death.” Mr. Jourdain. Which of all these methods is the best? Philosophy teacher. The one you chose yourself: “Beautiful marquise, your beautiful eyes promise me death from love.” Mr. Jourdain. But I didn’t study anything and yet I came up with it in an instant. I humbly thank you. Please come early tomorrow. Philosophy teacher. I won't fail.Scene VII
Mr. Jourdain, footman. Mr. Jourdain (to the footman). Haven't they brought me a suit yet? Lackey. No way, sir. Mr. Jourdain. The damned tailor makes me wait when I already have enough to do. How angry I am! May the fever torment him, this robber tailor! Damn that tailor! Damn him, this tailor! If I came across him now, the dirty tailor, the dog tailor, the villainous tailor, I would...Scene VIII
Mr. Jourdain, tailor, apprentice with a suit for Mr. Jourdain, footman. Mr. Jourdain. And finally! I was already starting to get angry with you. Tailor. Previously, I couldn’t keep up, and so I put twenty apprentices to work on your suit. Mr. Jourdain. You sent me such tight stockings that I had to force myself to put them on. And already two loops have descended. Tailor. They will still stretch! Mr. Jourdain. Yes, but not before all the loops snap. Besides, the shoes you ordered for me are unbearably tight. Tailor. Not at all, sir. Mr. Jourdain. That is, not at all? Tailor. No, no, they are not tight for you. Mr. Jourdain. And I say: tight. Tailor. It seems so to you. Mr. Jourdain. That's why it seems like I'm in pain. It wouldn't seem otherwise! Tailor. Here, if you please, take a look: not every courtier has such a beautiful suit, and it is made with excellent taste. This required special skill on my part to create a formal suit, although not black. The best tailor could not sew such a suit - I guarantee you that. Mr. Jourdain. What else is this? Did you send the flowers upside down? Tailor. You didn't tell me you wanted to go up. Mr. Jourdain. Do we really need to talk about this? Tailor. Definitely. All gentlemen wear this. Mr. Jourdain. Do gentlemen wear their heads down? Tailor. Yes, sir. Mr. Jourdain. Hm! But it really is beautiful. Tailor. If you like, I can go up. Mr. Jourdain. No no. Tailor. Just tell me. Mr. Jourdain. They tell you don't. You did well. But he’ll be fine sitting on me, what do you think? Tailor. What a question! A painter will not draw with a brush the way I fitted it to your figure. I have one apprentice: when it comes to trousers, he is simply a genius, and the other when it comes to a camisole is the beauty and pride of our time. Mr. Jourdain. Wig and feathers - what, nothing? Tailor. Everything is in order. Mr. Jourdain (looking closely at the tailor). Eh-he-he, Mr. Tailor, but the material you’re wearing is from my camisole, the same one that you sewed for me last time! I recognized her immediately. Tailor. If you please, I liked the material so much that I cut it out for myself for a caftan. Mr. Jourdain. Well, I would have cut it out, but not from my piece. Tailor. Would you like to try it on? Mr. Jourdain. Let's. Tailor. Wait. It's not done that way. I brought people to dress you with music: such costumes are worn with special ceremonies. Hey, come in!Scene IX
Mr. Jourdain, tailor, apprentice, apprentice dancers, footman. Tailor (to apprentices). Put this suit on Monsieur Jourdain the way you always dress noble gentlemen. FIRST BALLET EXIT Four dancing apprentices approach Mr. Jourdain. Two take off his trousers, the other two take off his doublet, and then, all the while moving in rhythm, they put a new suit on him. Mr. Jourdain walks between them, and they look to see if the suit fits well. Journeyman. Your Grace, please allow some of the apprentices to drink to your health. Mr. Jourdain. What did you call me? Journeyman. Your Grace. Mr. Jourdain. "Your Grace"! This is what it means to dress like a gentleman! And if you walk around in bourgeois dress, no one will say to you: “Your Grace.” (Gives money.) Here, here's to you for "your grace." Journeyman. We are very pleased, your Excellency. Mr. Jourdain. "Your Excellency"? Wow! "Your Excellency"! Wait a minute, buddy. “Your Excellency” is worth something, it’s not just a simple word - “Your Excellency”! Here you go, from His Excellency! Journeyman. Your Excellency, we will all drink to your Lordship’s health as one. Mr. Jourdain. "Your Grace"? Oh-ho-ho! Wait, don't go. This is for me - “your lordship”! (To the side.) If it comes to "Highness", honestly, he will get the whole wallet. (To the apprentice.) Here, here's to you for "your lordship." Journeyman. We humbly thank you, Your Excellency, for your mercies. Mr. Jourdain (to the side). He stopped in time, otherwise I would have given everything to him.Phenomenon X
SECOND BALLET EXIT Four apprentices dance, rejoicing at the generosity of Mr. Jourdain.*ACT THREE*
Phenomenon I
Mr. Jourdain, two footmen. Mr. Jourdain. Follow me: I want to walk around the city in a new suit, but just make sure you don’t lag behind a single step, so that everyone can see that you are my lackeys. Lackey. Let's listen, sir. Mr. Jourdain. Call Nicole here - I need to give her some orders. Wait, she's coming on her own.Phenomenon II
Mr. Jourdain, Nicole, two footmen. Mr. Jourdain. Nicole! Nicole. Anything? Mr. Jourdain. Listen... Nicole (laughs). Hee hee hee hee hee! Mr. Jourdain. Why are you laughing? Nicole. Hee hee hee hee hee hee! Mr. Jourdain. What's wrong with you, shameless girl? Nicole. Hee hee hee! Who do you look like? Hee hee hee! Mr. Jourdain. What's happened? Nicole. Oh my god! Hee hee hee hee hee! Mr. Jourdain. What impudence! Are you laughing at me? Nicole. No, no, sir, I didn’t even think about it. Hee hee hee hee hee hee! Mr. Jourdain. Laugh one more time, and you’ll get away with it from me! Nicole. I can't help it, sir. Hee hee hee hee hee! Mr. Jourdain. Will you stop or not? Nicole. Sorry, sir, but you are so hilarious that I can't stop laughing. Hee hee hee! Mr. Jourdain. No, just think, what impudence! Nicole. How funny are you now! Hee hee! Mr. Jourdain. I...Nicole. Excuse me, please. Hee hee hee hee! Mr. Jourdain. Listen, if you don’t stop right this second, I swear I’ll give you such a slap in the face that no one in the world has ever received. Nicole. If so, sir, you can rest assured: I won’t laugh anymore. Mr. Jourdain. Well look! Now you will clean it up for me... Nicole. Hee hee! Mr. Jourdain. Clean it up properly... Nicole. Hee hee! Mr. Jourdain. Clean it up, I say, as it should for the audience and... Nicole. Hee hee! Mr. Jourdain. You again? Nicole (rolls around laughing). No, sir, it’s better to beat me, but just let me laugh enough, it will be easier for me. Hee hee hee hee hee! Mr. Jourdain. You'll drive me crazy! Nicole. Have mercy, sir, let me laugh. Hee hee hee! Mr. Jourdain. Here I am now... Nicole. Su... hit... I'll burst... I'll burst if I don't laugh. Hee hee hee! Mr. Jourdain. Have you seen such a dirty trick? Instead of listening to my orders, he brazenly laughs in my face! Nicole. What do you want, sir? Mr. Jourdain. I would like you, swindler, to take the trouble to clean the house: I will soon have guests. Nicole (rises). I’m not laughing anymore, honestly! Your guests always make such a mess that the mere thought of them makes me sad. Mr. Jourdain. Well, because of you, should I keep the door locked from everyone I know? Nicole. At least from some.Scene III
Madame Jourdain, Mr. Jourdain, Nicole, two footmen. Mrs Jourdain. Ahah! What kind of news is this? What's that outfit you're wearing, hubby? Is it true that he decided to make people laugh when he dressed himself up as such a buffoon? Do you want everyone to point fingers at you? Mr. Jourdain. Will only fools and idiots point fingers at me? Mrs Jourdain. Yes, they show: your habits have been making everyone laugh for a long time. Mr. Jourdain. Who is this “everyone”, let me ask you? Mrs Jourdain. All reasonable people, all those who are smarter than you. And I’m so ashamed to see what fashion you’ve started. You can't recognize your own house. You might think that every day we have a holiday: from the very morning they play violins, they shout songs - there is no peace for the neighbors and those around them. Nicole. And that's true, madam. I won’t be able to keep the house clean if you, sir, bring such an abyss of people to you. Mud is applied directly from all over the city. Poor Françoise is completely exhausted: your kind teachers leave a legacy, and every single day she leaves my floors after them. Mr. Jourdain. Wow! That's how maid Nicole is! A simple peasant, but she’s so tongue-in-cheek! Mrs Jourdain. Nicole is right: she has more intelligence than you. I would like to know why you, at your age, needed a dance teacher? Nicole. And there’s this big swordsman - he stomps so hard that the whole house shakes, and in the next moment he’ll tear up the entire parquet floor. Mr. Jourdain. Be silent, both you, servant, and you, wife! Mrs Jourdain. So, are you planning to learn to dance? I found it when: my legs will soon be taken away. Nicole. Maybe you have a desire to kill someone? Mr. Jourdain. Keep quiet, they tell you. Both of you are ignorant. You don’t know what benefits this gives me. Mr. Jourdain. It would be better to think about how to accommodate my daughter: after all, she is already of marriageable age. Mr. Jourdain. I'll think about it when a suitable match presents itself. In the meantime, I want to think about how I can learn different good things. Nicole. I also heard, madam, that today, to top it all off, the owner has hired a philosophy teacher. Mr. Jourdain. Absolutely right. I want to gain some intelligence so that I can talk about anything with decent people. Mrs Jourdain. Shouldn't you go to school one fine day, so that they can beat you with rods in your old age? Mr. Jourdain. What's wrong with that? Let them tear me out even now, in front of everyone, just to know everything they teach at school! Nicole. Yes, that would be good for you. Mr. Jourdain. Without a doubt. Mrs Jourdain. This is how all this will come in handy for you on the farm! Mr. Jourdain. It will definitely come in handy. Both of you are talking nonsense, I am ashamed that you are so uneducated. (To Madame Jourdain.) For example, do you know how you speak now? Mrs Jourdain. Certainly. I know what I mean is true and that you need to start living differently. Mr. Jourdain. That's not what I'm talking about. I ask: what are these words that you just said? Mrs Jourdain. My words are reasonable, but your behavior is very unreasonable. Mr. Jourdain. They tell you that's not what I'm talking about. This is what I’m asking: what I’m telling you, this is what I told you now, what is it? Mrs Jourdain. Nonsense. Mr. Jourdain. No, you don't understand me. What we both say, all our speech with you? Mrs Jourdain. Well? Mr. Jourdain. How does is called? Mrs Jourdain. It doesn't matter what you call it. Mr. Jourdain. Ignorant, this is prose! Mrs Jourdain. Prose? Mr. Jourdain. Yes, prose. Everything that is prose is not poetry, and everything that is not poetry is prose. Have you seen it? This is what scholarship means! (To Nicole.) Well, what about you? Do you know how to pronounce U? Nicole. How to pronounce? Mr. Jourdain. Yes. What do you do when you say U? Nicole. What? Mr. Jourdain. Try telling W. Nicole. Well, W. Mr. Jourdain. What are you doing? Nicole. I say: W. Mr. Jourdain. Yes, but when you say U, what are you doing at that time? Nicole. I do what you told me. Mr. Jourdain. Talk to the fools! You stretch out your lips and bring your upper jaw closer to your lower jaw: U. See? I make a face: W. Nicole. Yes, nothing to say, cleverly. Mrs Jourdain. Miracles indeed! Mr. Jourdain. You wouldn't say the same thing if you saw Oh, YES-YES and FA-FA! Mrs Jourdain. What kind of nonsense is this? Nicole. What is all this for? Mr. Jourdain. These fools will piss anyone off. Mrs Jourdain. That's it, kick your teachers to the curb with all their gibberish. Nicole. And most importantly, this hulk is a fencing teacher: he’s nothing but dust. Mr. Jourdain. Please tell me! You have been given a fencing teacher. Now I’ll prove to you that you don’t understand anything about this. (He orders the rapiers to be brought to him and hands one of them to Nicole.) Here, look: a clear example, the body line. When they prick you with a quart, you have to do it this way, and when you’re being stabbed with a terce, you have to do it like this. Then no one will kill you, and during a fight this is the most important thing - to know that you are safe. Well, try stabbing me once! Nicole. Well, I’ll stab you! (Stabs Mr. Jourden several times.) Mr. Jourdain. Quiet! Hey Hey! Be careful! Damn you, bad girl! Nicole. You yourself ordered the injections. Mr. Jourdain. Yes, but you shoot with a terce first instead of a quart, and you don't have the patience to wait for me to parry. Mrs Jourdain. You're obsessed with all these fads, hubby. And this began for you from the moment you decided to associate with important gentlemen. Mr. Jourdain. The fact that I mess around with important gentlemen shows my common sense: it’s infinitely better than messing around with your philistines. Mrs Jourdain. Yes, there is nothing to say: the good that you made friends with the nobles, oh, how great! Take this handsome count, about whom you are crazy: what a profitable acquaintance! Mr. Jourdain. Be silent! Think first, and then let your tongue run free. Do you know, wife, that you don't know who you're talking about when you talk about him? You can’t imagine what a significant person this is: he is a real nobleman, he enters the palace, talks to the king himself, that’s how I talk to you. Is it not a great honor for me that such a high-ranking person constantly visits my house, calls me a dear friend and stands on an equal footing with me? It would never even occur to anyone what kind of services the Count provides me, and in front of everyone he is so affectionate with me that I really feel embarrassed. Mrs Jourdain. Yes, he provides you with services, he is affectionate with you, but he also borrows money from you. Mr. Jourdain. So what? Is it not an honor for me to lend to such a noble gentleman? Can I refuse such a trifle to a nobleman who calls me a dear friend? Mrs Jourdain. What kind of favors does this nobleman do for you? Mr. Jourdain. Such that no one will believe who you tell. Mrs Jourdain. For example? Mr. Jourdain. Well, I won’t tell you that. Be satisfied that he will pay me his debt in full, and very soon. Mrs Jourdain. Well, just wait! Mr. Jourdain. For sure. He told me himself! Mrs Jourdain. Hold your pocket wider. Mr. Jourdain. He gave me his word of honor as a nobleman. Mrs Jourdain. Liars! Mr. Jourdain. Wow! Well, you are stubborn, wife! And I’m telling you that he will keep his word, I’m sure of it. Mrs Jourdain. But I am sure that he will not hold back and that all his pleasantries are just a deception, and nothing more. Mr. Jourdain. Shut up! That's exactly him. Mrs Jourdain. This was just what was missing! That's right, I came again to ask you for a loan. It's sickening to look at him. Mr. Jourdain. Keep quiet, they tell you!Phenomenon IV
Dorant, Mr. Jourdain, Mrs. Jourdain, Nicole. Dorant. Hello, Mr. Jourdain! How are you, dear friend? Mr. Jourdain. Excellent, Your Excellency. Welcome. Dorant. And how is Madame Jourdain? Mrs Jourdain. Madame Jourdain lives small. Dorant. However, Mr. Jourdain, what a dandy you are today! Mr. Jourdain. Look at this. Dorant. You look impeccable in this suit. We don't have one at our court young man, who would be as well built as you. Mr. Jourdain. Hehe! Ms. Jourdain (to the side). Knows how to get into the soul. Dorant. Turn around. The height of grace. Ms. Jourdain (to the side). Yes, the back is just as stupid as the front. Dorant. I give you my word, Mr. Jourdain, I had an unusually strong desire to see you. I have a very special respect for you: just this morning I spoke about you in the royal bedchamber. Mr. Jourdain. It is a great honor for me, Your Excellency. (To Madame Jourdain.) In the royal bedchamber! Dorant. Put on your hat. Mr. Jourdain. I respect you too much, Your Excellency. Dorant. My God, put it on! No further ceremony please. Mr. Jourdain. Your Excellency... Dorant. They tell you, put it on, Mr. Jourdain: you are my friend. Mr. Jourdain. Your Excellency, I am your humble servant. Dorant. If you don't wear a hat, then I won't either. Mr. Jourdain (putting on his hat). It is better to appear discourteous than intractable. Dorant. As you know, I am in your debt. Ms. Jourdain (to the side). Yes, we know this too well. Dorant. You were so generous that you lent me money several times and, it should be noted, showed the greatest delicacy in doing so. Mr. Jourdain. If you would like to joke, your Excellency. Dorant. However, I consider it my indispensable duty to pay debts and know how to appreciate the kindnesses shown to me. Mr. Jourdain. I have no doubt about it. Dorant. I intend to get even with you. Let's calculate together how much I owe you. Mr. Jourdain (quietly to Madame Jourdain). Well, what, wife? Do you see what false accusations you made against him? Dorant. I like to pay off as quickly as possible. Mr. Jourdain (quietly to Madame Jourdain). What did I tell you? Dorant. So let's see how much I owe you. Mr. Jourdain (quietly to Madame Jourdain). Here they are, your ridiculous suspicions. Dorant. Do you remember well how much you lent me? Mr. Jourdain. Yes, I think so. I wrote it down for memory. Here it is, this very recording. For the first time, two hundred louis d'or were given to you. Dorant. Right. Mr. Jourdain. You have also been given one hundred and twenty. Dorant. So. Mr. Jourdain. You have also been given one hundred and forty. Dorant. You're right. Mr. Jourdain. The total amount is four hundred and sixty louis, or five thousand and sixty livres. Dorant. The calculation is quite correct. Five thousand sixty livres. Mr. Jourdain. One thousand eight hundred and thirty-two livres to your supplier of hat feathers. Dorant. Absolutely right. Mr. Jourdain. Two thousand seven hundred and eighty livres to your tailor. Dorant. Right. Mr. Jourdain. Four thousand three hundred and seventy-nine livres twelve sous eight deniers to your shopkeeper. Dorant. Great. Twelve sous eight deniers - the calculation is correct. Mr. Jourdain. And another thousand seven hundred and forty-eight livres seven sous four deniers to your saddlemaker. Dorant. All this is true. How much is it? Mr. Jourdain. Total fifteen thousand eight hundred livres. Dorant. The result is correct. Fifteen thousand eight hundred livres. Give me another two hundred pistoles and add them to the total amount: you get exactly eighteen thousand francs, which I will return to you in the very near future. Ms. Jourdain (quietly to Mr. Jourdain). Well, was I right? Mr. Jourdain (quietly to Madame Jourdain). Leave me alone. Dorant. Will my request bother you? Mr. Jourdain. Have mercy! Ms. Jourdain (quietly to Mr. Jourdain). You are a cash cow for him. Mr. Jourdain (quietly to Madame Jourdain). Be quiet. Dorant. If you're not comfortable with this, I'll go to someone else. Mr. Jourdain. No, no, your Excellency. Ms. Jourdain (quietly to Mr. Jourdain). He won't rest until he ruins you. Mr. Jourdain (quietly to Madame Jourdain). They tell you to be quiet. Dorant. Tell me directly, don't be shy. Mr. Jourdain. Not at all, Your Excellency. Ms. Jourdain (quietly to Mr. Jourdain). This is a real rogue. Mr. Jourdain (quietly to Madame Jourdain). Shut up! Ms. Jourdain (quietly to Mr. Jourdain). He will suck every last penny out of you. Mr. Jourdain. Will you shut up? Dorant. Many people would be happy to lend me a loan, but you are my best friend, and I was afraid that I would offend you if I asked anyone else. Mr. Jourdain. Too much honor for me, Your Excellency. Now I'm going to get some money. Ms. Jourdain (quietly to Mr. Jourdain). What? Do you still want to give him? Mr. Jourdain (quietly to Madame Jourdain). But what should we do? How can I refuse such an important person who was talking about me in the royal bedchamber this morning? Ms. Jourdain (quietly to Mr. Jourdain). Oh, come on, you complete fool!Phenomenon V
Doran t, Madame Jourdain, Nicole. Dorant. You seem out of sorts. What's wrong with you, Madame Jourdain? Mrs Jourdain. My head is spinning. Dorant. Where is your dear daughter? Somehow she is not visible. Mrs Jourdain. My dear daughter is exactly where she is now. Dorant. How is she feeling? Mrs Jourdain. Usually, that's how she feels. Dorant. Would you like to watch a court ballet and comedy with your daughter one of these days? Mrs Jourdain. That's right, now we're just laughing, we're just laughing now! Dorant. It’s true, Madame Jourdain, in your youth you were famous for your beauty, pleasant manners, and you had a ton of admirers. Mrs Jourdain. Good, sir, nothing to say! What do you think now: Madame Jourdain is a complete wreck and her head is shaking? Dorant. Oh, my God, Madame Jourdain, forgive me! I completely forgot that you are still young: it is my constant absent-mindedness that is to blame. Please excuse my involuntary insolence.Scene VI
Mr. Jourdain, Mrs. Jourdain, Dorant, Nicole. Mr. Jourdain (To Dorant). Here's exactly two hundred louis d'or. Dorant. Believe me, Mr. Jourdain, that I am sincerely devoted to you and dream of being of some use to you at court. Mr. Jourdain. I'm very much obliged to you. Dorant. If Madame Jourdain wishes to watch a court performance, I will order that the best seats in the hall be reserved for her. Mrs Jourdain. Madame Jourdain humbly thanks you. Dorant (quietly to Mr. Jourdain). Our lovely marquise, as I already informed you with a note, will now come to dine with you and watch the ballet. In the end, I managed to persuade her to attend the performance that you are organizing for her. Mr. Jourdain. Let's move away just in case. Dorant. We haven’t seen each other for a whole week, and until now I couldn’t tell you anything about the diamond that I was supposed to give to the marquise from you, but the whole point is that it cost me the greatest effort to overcome her scrupulosity: she only agreed to accept it Today. Mr. Jourdain. How did she like him? Dorant. She is delighted with him. I am almost sure that the beauty of this diamond will raise you enormously in her eyes. Mr. Jourdain. God forbid! Ms. Jourdain (to Nicole). As soon as they get together, my hubby will stick to him. Dorant. I made every effort so that she would form a true understanding of both the value of your gift and the strength of your love. Mr. Jourdain. I don’t know how to thank you. How embarrassing it is for me that such an important person as you bothers herself for my sake! Dorant. What do you! Is it possible for friends to be so scrupulous? And wouldn't you do the same for me in such a case? Mr. Jourdain. Well, of course! With great pleasure. Ms. Jourdain (to Nicole). When he's here, I just can't stand it. Dorant. At least, when I need to serve a friend, I am ready to do anything. As soon as you confessed to me that you were burning with passion for the charming marquise, my good friend, I myself volunteered to be a mediator in your affairs of the heart. Mr. Jourdain. The absolute truth. Your good deeds confuse me. Ms. Jourdain (to Nicole). When will he finally leave? Nicole. You can't spill them with water. Dorant. You managed to find the shortest path to her heart. Women love most of all when they are spent on them, and your incessant serenades, your countless bouquets, the amazing fireworks display that you arranged for her on the river, the diamond that you gave her, the performance that you are preparing for her - all this is more eloquent. speaks about your love than all the words you could say to her in person. Mr. Jourdain. I will not stop at any expense if only it will pave the way for me to her heart. A society lady has an incomparable charm for me - I am ready to buy such an honor at any cost. Ms. Jourdain (quietly to Nicole). What are they whispering about for so long? Come quietly and listen. Dorant. Soon you will admire her to your heart's content, your eyes will enjoy her completely. Mr. Jourdain. So that we would not be disturbed, I arranged for my wife to go to dinner with her sister and stay with her until the evening. Dorant. You acted wisely, otherwise your wife could embarrass us. On your behalf, I gave orders to the cook and also ordered everything to be prepared for the ballet. I composed it myself, and if only the execution corresponds to the plan, then I am sure that from him... Mr. Jourdain (noticing that Nicole is eavesdropping, he slaps her). What is this? What a cheeky fellow! (To Dorant.) We'll have to leave.Scene VII
Ms. Jourdain, Nicole. Nicole. However, madam, curiosity cost me something. But still, there’s something fishy here: they’re keeping something secret from you. Mrs Jourdain. My hubby has been on my radar for a long time, Nicole. I bet my head that he's hitting on someone, so I'm trying to check on who. However, let's think about my daughter. You know that Cleont is madly in love with her, I also liked him, and I want to help him and, if possible, marry Lucille to him. Nicole. To tell you the truth, madam, I’m simply delighted that you decided this way: after all, if you like the master, then I like the servant, and how I would like to have ours after their wedding! Mrs Jourdain. Go to Cleont and tell him that I am calling him: together we will go to my husband to ask for my daughter’s hand in marriage. Nicole. With pleasure, madam. I'm running! I have never performed such a pleasant task before. Madame Jourdain leaves. They'll probably be happy!Scene VIII
Cleont, Koviel, Nicole. Nicole (Cleontos). Oh, how on time you are! I am the messenger of your happiness and I want you... Cleont. Go away, treacherous one, do not dare to seduce me with your false speeches! Nicole. Is this how you meet me? Cleont. Go away, they tell you, go this very hour to your unfaithful mistress and declare that she will no longer be able to deceive the simple-minded Cleont. Nicole. What kind of nonsense is this? My dear Koviel, tell me, what does all this mean? Koviel. “My dear Koviel,” wicked girl! Well, get out of my sight, you such a piece of trash, leave me alone! Nicole. How? And you’re going there too?.. Koviel. Get out of my sight, they tell you, don’t you dare speak to me again. Nicole (to the side). Here's your time! What fly bit them both? I’ll go tell the young lady about this sweet incident.Scene IX
Kleont, Koviel. Cleont. How! To do this to your admirer, and even to the most faithful and most passionate of admirers! Koviel. It's terrible how we were both treated here! Cleont. I lavish on her all the ardor and all the tenderness that I am capable of. I love her alone in the whole world and I think only about her. She is the only subject of all my thoughts and all my desires, she is my only joy. I talk only about her, I think only about her, I see only her in my dreams, my heart beats only for her, I breathe only for her. And here is a worthy reward for this devotion of mine! We didn’t see each other for two days: they dragged on for me like two painful centuries, then, finally, an unexpected meeting, my soul rejoiced, my face filled with a blush of happiness, in an enthusiastic impulse I rush to her - and what? The unfaithful one doesn’t look at me, she walks past, as if we were completely, completely strangers! Koviel. I'm ready to say the same thing. Cleont. So what compares, Koviel, with the cunning of the heartless Lucille? Koviel. And what compares, sir, with the deceit of the vile Nicole? Cleont. And this after such ardent self-sacrifice, after so many sighs and vows that her charm wrested from me! Koviel. After such persistent courtship, after so many attentions and services that I provided her in the kitchen! Cleont. So many tears that I shed at her feet! Koviel. So many buckets of water that I carried from the well for her! Cleont. How ardently I loved her—I loved her to the point of complete self-forgetfulness! Koviel. How hot it was for me when I was busy with the spit for her - hot to the point of complete exhaustion! Cleont. And now she walks by, clearly neglecting me! Koviel. And now she insolently turns her back on me! Cleont. This treachery deserves to be punished. Koviel. This treachery deserves to be slapped in the face. Cleont. Look at me, don’t even think about interceding for her! Koviel. Me, sir? Intercede? God forbid! Cleont. Don't you dare justify the actions of this traitor. Koviel. Do not worry. Cleont. Don't try to protect her - it's a waste of time. Koviel. Yes, I have no idea about this! Cleont. I will not forgive her for this and will break off all relations with her. Koviel. You'll do well. Cleont. Apparently, her head was turned by this count, who visits their house; I am convinced that she was flattered by his nobility. However, out of a sense of honor, I cannot allow her to be the first to announce her infidelity. I see that she is striving for a break, and I intend to get ahead of her: I do not want to give her the palm. Koviel. Well said; I, for my part, fully share your feelings. Cleont. So fuel my annoyance and support me in a decisive battle with the remnants of love for her, so that they do not raise a voice in her defense. Please tell me as many bad things as possible about her. Show her to me in the darkest light and, in order to disgust me, carefully highlight all her shortcomings. Koviel. Her shortcomings, sir? But she’s a scrapper, a pretty, fidgety little girl - they really found someone to fall in love with! I don’t see anything special in her: there are hundreds of girls much better than her. Firstly, her eyes are small. Cleont. It’s true that her eyes are small, but they are the only eyes in the world: there is so much fire in them, they sparkle, pierce, and touch. Koviel. Her mouth is big. Cleont. Yes, but it is fraught with a special charm: this mouth involuntarily excites, there is so much captivating and enchanting in it that no other can compare with it. Koviel. She is not tall. Cleont. Yes, but she is graceful and well-built. Koviel. She is deliberately careless in her speech and movements. Cleont. True, but it gives it a peculiar charm. She behaves charmingly, she has so much charm that it is impossible not to submit to her. Koviel. As for the mind... Cleont. Ah, Koviel, what a subtle, what a lively mind she has! Koviel. She says... Cleont. She says wonderful. Koviel. She is always serious. Cleont. Do you need her to be funny, to make her laugh? What could be more intolerable than a woman who is always ready to laugh? Koviel. But she is the most capricious woman in the world. Cleont. Yes, she is capricious, I agree with you here, but a beauty can afford anything, a beauty can forgive anything. Koviel. Well, then, apparently, you will never stop loving her. Cleont. Will I stop loving you? No, death is better. I will hate her with the same intensity with which I loved her before. Koviel. How can you do this if, in your opinion, she is the height of perfection? Cleont. This is precisely where the amazing power of my revenge will be reflected, this is precisely where the firmness of my spirit will be reflected, that I will hate and leave her, despite all her beauty, despite all her attractiveness for me, despite all her charm. But here she is.Phenomenon X
Lucille, Cleont, Koviel, Nicole. Nicole (to Lucille). At least I was deeply outraged. Lucille. All this, Nicole, is because of what I just told you about. Ah, he's here! Cleont (Koviel). I don't even want to talk to her. Koviel. And I will follow your example. Lucille. What does this mean, Cleont? What happened to you? Nicole. What's the matter with you, Koviel? Lucille. Why are you so sad? Nicole. Why are you pouting? Lucille. Are you speechless, Cleontes? Nicole. Have you lost your tongue, Koviel? Cleont. What a villain! Koviel. Here is Judas! Lucille. I see that you were upset by our meeting today. Cleont (Koviel). Yeah! They realized what they had done. Nicole. You were probably struck to the quick by the way we behaved this morning. Koviel (Cleontos). Cats know whose meat they have eaten. Lucille. After all, this is the only reason for your annoyance, isn’t it, Cleont? Cleont. Yes, insidious, if you want to know, that’s exactly it. But I only warn you that your betrayal will not bring you joy: I myself intend to break up with you, I will deprive you of the right to believe that it was you who pushed me away. Of course, it will not be easy for me to overcome my feelings for you, I will be overcome by melancholy, I will suffer for some time, but I will overcome myself, and I would rather tear my heart out of my chest than succumb to weakness and return to you. Koviel (to Nicole). And where he goes, I go too. Lucille. That's a lot of ado about nothing! I’ll explain to you now, Cleont, why I avoided meeting with you this morning. Cleont (trying to get away from Lucille). I don't want to listen to anything. Nicole (Koviel). I’ll tell you now why we passed by so quickly. Koviel (trying to get away from Nicole). I don't want to know anything. Lucille (follows Cleont). So, this morning... Cleon (without looking at Lucille, heads towards the exit) Once again: no. Nicole (follows Koviel). If only you knew... Koviel (without looking at Nicole, he heads towards the exit) Pretender, leave me alone! Lucille. Listen! Cleont. The end of everything. Nicole. Let me tell you! Koviel. I'm deaf. Lucille. Cleont! Cleont. No no! Nicole. Koviel! Koviel. No no! Lucille. Wait! Cleont. Fables! Nicole. Listen! Koviel. Nonsense! Lucille. Wait a minute! Cleont. Never! Nicole. A little patience! Koviel. Nonsense! Lucille. Just two words! Cleont. It's over, no, no Nicole. One word! Koviel. We don't know each other. Lucille (stops). Well, since you don’t want to listen to me, then stay with your opinion and do as you please. Nicole (also stops). If so, do as you please. Cleont (turns to Lucille). It is interesting, however, to know the reason for your charming behavior. Lucille (trying to get away from Cleont). I have lost all desire to talk about this with you. Koviel (turns to Nicole). Let's listen, however, to what's going on here. Nicole (wants to leave Koviel). I have lost all desire to explain this to you. Cleont (follows Lucille). Tell me... Lucille (without looking at Cleont, he heads towards the exit). I won't tell you anything. Koviel (follows Nicole). Explain to me... Nicole (without looking at Koviel, he heads towards the exit). I won’t explain anything. Cleont. Oh, have mercy! Lucille. Once again: no! Koviel. Be so kind! Nicole. The end of everything. Cleont. I beg you! Lucille. Go away! Koviel. Please! Nicole. Get out! Cleont. Lucille! Lucille. No no! Koviel. Nicole! Nicole. No no! Cleont. For God's sake! Lucille. I don't want to! Koviel. So, say! Nicole. Never. Cleont. Shed some light! Lucille. I won't even think about it. Koviel. Open your eyes to me! Nicole. There was a hunt! Cleont. Well, well, since you don’t want to take the trouble to dissuade me and explain your behavior, which my love did not deserve, then, ungrateful, you will see me for the last time: I’m leaving, and separated from you I will die of grief and from love. Koviel (to Nicole). And I follow him. Lucille (to Cleont, who is about to leave). Cleont! Nicole (To Koviel, who follows his master). Koviel! Cleont (stops). What? Koviel (also stops). Well? Lucille. Where are you going? Cleont. I told you. Lucille. What, do you want to die? Cleont. Oh yes, cruel one, you want it yourself. Koviel. We went to die. Lucille. I? I want you dead? Cleont. Yes, you do. Lucille. Who told you? Cleont (approaches Lucille). How can you not, when you don’t want to resolve my doubts? Lucille. What do I have to do with it? If you had deigned to listen to me from the very beginning, I would have told you that my old aunt, with whom we walked together, was to blame for the morning incident that caused you such offense: she is firmly convinced that if a man, God forbid, approached the girl, thereby he has already dishonored her, he always reads sermons about this to us and tries to convince us that men are devils and that we need to run away from them without looking back. Nicole (Koviel). That's the whole secret. Cleont. Aren't you deceiving me, Lucille? Koviel (to Nicole). Aren't you fooling me? Lucille (Cleontos). All this is the absolute truth. Nicole (Koviel). That's how it was. Koviel (Cleontos). Well, should we believe them? Cleont. Ax, Lucille, you only have to say one word, and the worries of my soul immediately subside! How easily we are convinced by those we love! Koviel. Well, these damn dolls are so clever at cajoling our brother!Scene XI
Madame Jourdain, Cleonte, Lucille, Coviel, Nicole. Mrs Jourdain. I’m very glad to see you, Cleont, you’re just in time. Now my husband will come: take this opportunity and ask him for Lucille’s hand in marriage. Cleont. Ah, madam, how glad it is for me to hear these words and how they agree with mine. your own desires! What could be more pleasant for me than this order, what could be more valuable to me than this benefit?Scene XII
Cleont, Mr. Jourdain, Madame Jourdain, Lucille, Koviel, Nicole. Cleont. Mr. Jourdain, I decided not to resort to anyone’s mediation in order to turn to you with a request that concerns my long-standing dream. This request is too important for me, and I thought it necessary to express it to you myself. So, I will tell you without hesitation that the honor of being your son-in-law would be the highest mercy for me, and it is this mercy that I ask you to grant me. Mr. Jourdain. Before I give you an answer, sir, I will ask you to tell me: are you a nobleman or not? Cleont. Sir, the majority, without hesitation, would answer this question in the affirmative. Words are cheap these days. People without a twinge of conscience assign to themselves the title of nobility - this kind of theft, apparently, has become a custom. But I admit, I am more scrupulous about this. I believe that every deception casts a shadow on a decent person. To be ashamed of those from whom heaven destined you to be born, to shine in society with a fictitious title, to pretend that you are not what you really are - this, in my opinion, is a sign of spiritual baseness. Of course, my ancestors held honorary positions, I myself served with honor for six years in the army, and my fortune is such that I hope to take not the last place in the world, but with all that, I do not intend to assign myself the title of nobility, despite the fact that many in my place would consider themselves entitled to do this, and I will tell you straight: I am not a nobleman. Mr. Jourdain. It’s over, sir: my daughter is not for you. Cleont. How? Mr. Jourdain. You are not a nobleman: you will not get my daughter. Mrs Jourdain. But what does it have to do with: a nobleman, not a nobleman? Are you and I descended from the side of Saint Louis? Mr. Jourdain. Shut up, wife: I see what you're getting at. Mrs Jourdain. Are you and I not from honest bourgeois families? Mr. Jourdain. Your tongue is boneless, wife! Mrs Jourdain. Weren't our parents merchants? Mr. Jourdain. These women! Words won't be allowed to be said. If your parent was a merchant, so much the worse for him, but only evil tongues can say that about my parent. In a word, I want my son-in-law to be a nobleman. Mrs Jourdain. Your daughter needs a suitable husband: it is better for her to marry an honest, rich and handsome man than a poor and awkward nobleman. Nicole. That's right! In our village, the master's son is such a lout and such a blockhead as I have never seen in my life. Mr. Jourdain (to Nicole). Shut up, impudent one! Always interfering in the conversation. I have enough good things in store for my daughter, the only thing missing is honor, so I want her to be a marquise. Mrs Jourdain. Marquise? Mr. Jourdain. Yes, the marquise. Mrs Jourdain. God save and have mercy! Mr. Jourdain. It's a done deal. Mrs Jourdain. And I don’t agree to this at all. Don't expect anything good from an unequal marriage. I don’t want my son-in-law to reproach my daughter with his parents and for their children to be ashamed to call me grandmother. One fine day she will happen to roll up to me in a carriage, and if she inadvertently forgets to bow to one of the neighbors, then what won’t they say about her! “Look, they will say, at Madame Marquise! See how arrogant she is! This is the daughter of Mr. Jourdain, in childhood she considered it a great happiness to play with us. Before she was not so arrogant: after all, both of her grandfathers traded cloth near the gates of St. Innocent. They made money for the children good, and now, guess what, in the next world, oh, how they pay for it, because an honest man will never get rich like that.” I can't stand this gossip. In short, I want my son-in-law to be grateful to me for my daughter and so that I can simply tell him: “Sit down, son-in-law, have lunch with us.” Mr. Jourdain. This is where all your petty soul came into play: you should have vegetated in insignificance all your life. Enough talk! In spite of everyone, my daughter will be a marquise, and if you anger me even more, I will make her a duchess.Scene XIII
Madame Jourdain, Lucille, Cleonte, Nicole, Koviel. Mrs Jourdain. Don't be discouraged, Cleont. (To Lucille.) Let's go, daughter. Just tell your father this: if I don’t marry the Client, then I won’t marry anyone.Scene XIV
Kleont, Koviel. Koviel. Your nobility has helped you a lot! Cleont. What can you do! I am unusually scrupulous on this score, and to break myself is beyond my strength. Koviel. Who told you to take such a person seriously? Can't you see that he's crazy? Well, what did it cost you to condescend to his weakness? Cleont. Your truth, but I could not imagine that in order to become the son-in-law of Mr. Jourdain, it is required to present letters of nobility. Koviel (laughs). Ha ha ha! Cleont. Why are you laughing? Koviel. I have decided to play a joke with our smart guy, thanks to which you will achieve your goal. Cleont. What's happened? Koviel. Amazing little thing! Cleont. But what exactly? Koviel. We recently had a masquerade here, and for my idea this is exactly what I need: I’m thinking of using this to fool our simpleton. Of course, you will have to play a comedy, but with such a person you can do anything, and there is nothing special to think about here: he will play his role wonderfully and, no matter what tales they tell him, he will treat everything with complete confidence. I have both the actors and the costumes ready, just give me complete freedom. Cleont. But teach me... Koviel. Now I will explain everything to you. Let's get out of here: there he is again.Apparition XV
Mr. Jourdain is alone. Mr. Jourdain. What the hell! Every now and then my acquaintance with nobles pricks my eyes, but for me nothing can be more pleasant than such acquaintances. They give only honor and respect. I would allow two of my fingers to be cut off if only I could be born a count or a marquis.Scene XVI
Mr. Jourdain, footman. Lackey. Sir, there is His Excellency the Count on the arm of some lady. Mr. Jourdain. Oh my god! I still need to give some orders. Say I am now.Scene XVII
Doriman, Dorant, footman. Lackey. The master was told to say that they would come out now. Dorant. Very good.Scene XVIII
Dorimena, Doran Dorimena. I don’t know, Dorant, I think I acted rashly in allowing you to bring me to an unfamiliar house. Dorant. Where, then, Marquise, my love, could I greet you, since, in order to avoid publicity, you do not want to meet me either at your home or at mine? Dorimena. Yes, but you don’t want to admit that I’m quietly getting used to the daily and too strong evidence of your love for me. No matter how much I refuse, in the end I still give in to your persuasion: with your delicate persistence you get from me that I am ready to fulfill your every desire. It began with frequent visits, followed by confessions, confessions led to serenades and performances, and then came gifts. I resisted all this, but you are incorrigible, and every time you manage to break my stubbornness. Now I am no longer responsible for anything: I am afraid that you will still persuade me to marry, although I avoided this in every possible way. Dorant. It's high time, Marquise, I assure you. You are a widow, you do not depend on anyone. I am also my own master and I love you more than life itself. Why don’t you make my happiness today? Dorimena. Oh, my God, Dorant, in order for life together to be happy, too much is required from both sides! How often do the most prudent spouses fail to create a union that would satisfy them! Dorant. For mercy, marquise, you are clearly exaggerating the difficulties, and your own experience does not prove anything. Dorimena. Anyway, I'm going back to the same thing. I am introducing you to expenses, and this worries me: firstly, they oblige me more than I would like, and secondly, forgive my frankness, I am sure that they cannot help but burden you, and this is unpleasant for me. Dorant. Ah, marquise, this is mere nonsense, and you shouldn’t... Dorimena. I know what I am saying. By the way, the diamond you forced me to accept is such an expensive thing... Dorant. Marquise, I beg you, do not overestimate the little thing that my love considers unworthy of you, and allow... But here is the owner of the house,Phenomenon XIX
Mr. Jourdain, Dorimena, Dorant. Mr. Jourdain (after making two bows, he finds himself too close to Dorimena). A little back, madam. Dorimena. What? Mr. Jourdain. If possible, one step at a time. Dorimena. What's happened? Mr. Jourdet n. Step back a little, otherwise I can’t make the third bow. Dorant. Mr. Jourdain loves refined treatment. Mr. Jourdain. Madam, this is my greatest joy that I turned out to be such a darling of fate and such, one might say, lucky that I have such happiness and you were so kind that you did me a favor and wished to honor me with the honor of your benevolent presence, and if only I was worthy to receive such merits as yours... and heaven... envious of my bliss... granted me... the advantage of earning... deserving... Dorant. Enough, Mr. Jourdain! The marquise does not like long compliments. She has already heard about the extraordinary sharpness of your mind. (Quietly to Dorimene). As you can see, this nice tradesman has quite funny manners. Dorimena (quietly to Dorant). It's not hard to see. Dorant. Let me introduce you, Marquis, my best friend... Mr. Jourdain. This is too much of an honor for me. Dorant. ...a completely secular person. Dorimena. I have deep respect for him. Mr. Jourdain. I have not yet done anything, madam, to deserve such grace. Dorant (quietly to Mr. Jourdain). Be careful not to let anything slip about the diamond you gave her. Mr. Jourdain (quietly to Dorant). One can only ask how she liked him? Dorant (quietly to Mr. Jourdain). What do you! God save you! It would be rude of you. If you wish it's like quite socialite, then, on the contrary, pretend that it was not you who gave it to her. (Loudly to Doriman.) Mr. Jourdain says that he is incredibly happy to see you. Dorimena. I'm very touched. Mr. Jourdain (quietly to Dorant). How grateful I am to you that you put in a good word for me with the Marquise! Dorant (quietly to Mr. Jourdain). I barely persuaded her to come to you. Mr. Jourdain (quietly to Dorant). I don't know how to thank you. Dorant. He says, marquise, that you are the first beauty in the world. Dorimena. I find this very flattering. Mr. Jourdain. It’s flattering to me, madam, that you... Dorant. Isn't it time for lunch?Phenomenon XX
Mr. Jourdain, Dorimena. Dorant, footman. Lackey (to Mr. Jourdain). Everything is ready, sir. Dorant. In that case, let's go to the table and let them call the singers.Phenomenon XXI
BALLET The six cooks who prepared the ceremonial dinner dance together, which constitutes the third interlude; then they bring in a table laden with dishes.*ACT FOUR*
Phenomenon I
Dorimena, Mr. Jourdain, Dorant, three singers, footmen. Dorimena. Dorant, what do I see? Yes, this is a luxurious feast! Mr. Jourdain. Come on, madam, I would like to offer you something more magnificent. Dorimena, Mr. Jourdain, Dorant and three singers sit down at the table. Dorant. Mr. Jourdain is absolutely right, Marquise, and I am very grateful to him for giving you such a warm welcome. I agree with him that dinner is not great enough for you. I ordered it myself, but in this area I am not such a sophisticated connoisseur as some of our friends, and therefore the meal was not very refined, so you will find here direct violations of the rules of culinary art and deviations from strict taste. Now, if Damis had taken it upon himself, then there would have been nothing to complain about: grace and knowledge of the matter would have been visible in everything, he himself would have praised every dish and, in the end, would have forced you to recognize his extraordinary abilities in the science of gluttony. He would tell you about toasted bread with a solid golden crust that gently crunches on your teeth, about velvety, moderately tart wine, about a shoulder of lamb stuffed with parsley, about the back of the head of a Norman calf, so long, white, tender, which just melts into... mouth, about wonderfully smelling partridges and, as the crown of creation, about a broth with sparkles of fat, followed by a young, plump turkey, surrounded by pigeons and decorated with white onions mixed with chicory. As for me, I am forced to confess my own ignorance and, to use the apt expression of M. Jourdain, I would like to offer your attention something more magnificent. Dorimena. I eat with great appetite - that's how I respond to your compliment. Mr. Jourdain. Oh, what lovely hands! Dorimena. The hands are ordinary, Mr. Jourdain, but you probably mean the diamond - it’s really very good. Mr. Jourdain. Why, madam, God forbid, it would be unworthy of a secular person, and besides, the diamond itself is a mere trifle. Dorimena. You are too demanding. Mr. Jourdain. And you are too lenient. Dorant (signaling to Mr. Jourdain). Pour wine for Mr. Jourdain and these gentlemen who will be so kind as to sing us a drinking song. Dorimena. Music is a wonderful spice to a good meal. I must say that they treat me wonderfully here. Mr. Jourdain. Madam, not for me... Dorant. Mister Jourdain, let's listen to our singers: what they tell us is much better than anything we can say. First and second singers (singing with glasses in hands). Filida, make a sign to me with your finger, - The wine in your hands sparkles so sparklingly! Your beauty inspires me, And now I am possessed by a double passion. Wine, you and I - from now on we must be Forever inseparable. The wine in your lips burns with a living fire, Your lips impart color to the wine. Oh how they complement each other! I am doubly intoxicated - with you and with wine. Wine, you and I - from now on we must be forever inseparable! Second and third singers We will, we will drink wine, - Time flies too quickly: We must, we must carefreely Take what is destined in life! Dark are the rivers of oblivion, the waves: There is no passion there. no wine. And here the glasses are full, - So drink, so drink to the bottom! Let wise men sometimes make wise speeches, Our wisdom comes to us Only with a bottle and food. Wealth, knowledge and fame do not relieve worries. He who is drunk has the right to say that he lives! All three together, pour it, boy, pour it, pour it fuller, Until it overflows! Dorimena. It's impossible to sing better. Just great! Mr. Jourdain. And I see before me, madam, something more beautiful. Dorimena. What do I hear? I didn’t even think that Mr. Jourdain could be so kind. Dorant. Have mercy, marquise! Who do you take Mr. Jourdain for? Mr. Jourdain. I want her to take me at face value. Dorimena. Again? Dorant. You don't know him yet. Mr. Jourdain. She will recognize me as soon as she wishes. Dorimena. Yes, he is inexhaustible! Dorant. Mr. Jourdain does not mince words. But you don’t even notice, marquise, that he eats up all the pieces you touch. Dorimena. Mister Jourdain delights me. Mr. Jourdain. Now, if I could hope to steal your heart, I would...Phenomenon II
Madame Jourdain, Mr. Jourdain, Dorimena, Dorant, singers, footmen. Mrs Jourdain. Bah! Bah! Yes, there is a pleasant company here, and, apparently, they weren’t expecting me! So that’s why you couldn’t wait, my dear husband, to take me to dinner with my sister? First the show, and then the feast! There is nothing to say, I found something to do with the money: you treat the ladies in my absence, you hire singers and comedians for them, and get me out of the yard. Dorant. What are you saying, Madame Jourdain? What kind of fantasy is this? Where did you get the idea that your husband spends money and that he gives a dinner in honor of the lady? Let it be known to you that I am organizing the dinner, and he only provided his house for this - I advise you to think carefully first, and then speak. Mr. Jourdain. That's it, stupid: the dinner is being given by His Excellency the Count in honor of this noble lady. He showed me a special favor by choosing my house for this and inviting me too. Mrs Jourdain. All lies. I know I know. Dorant. Put on better glasses, Madame Jourdain. Mrs Jourdain. I don't need glasses, sir, I can see well anyway. I’ve been smelling bad things for a long time, you shouldn’t think that I’m such a fool. It’s a shame for you, noble sir, to indulge my husband’s foolishness. And for you, madam, such an important lady, it is not becoming and inappropriate to bring discord into the family and allow my husband to drag after you. Dorimena. What does all of this mean? Listen, Dorant, are you kidding me? Forcing me to listen to the ridiculous nonsense of this absurd woman! Dorant (runs after Dorimena). Marquise, wait! Marquise, where are you going? Mr. Jourdain. Madam!.. Your Excellency, apologize to her for me and persuade her to return!Scene III
Madame Jourdain, Mr. Jourdain, footmen. Mr. Jourdain. Oh, you such a fool, that's what you did! She embarrassed me in front of the whole world! After all, this is necessary: to drive noble people out of my house! Mrs Jourdain. I don't care about their nobility. Mr. Jourdain. Now, you damned one, I’ll break your head with a plate because you upset our dinner! The footmen carry out the table. Ms. Jourdain (leaving). I was so scared of you! I defend my rights, all women will be on my side. Mr. Jourdain. It’s your happiness that you quickly ran away from me!Phenomenon IV
Mr. Jourdain is alone. Mr. Jourdain. I didn't show up on time! As if on purpose, I was on fire and sparkling with wit. What else is this?Phenomenon V
Mr. Jourdain, Koviel in disguise. Koviel. I don’t know, sir, whether I have the honor of being your acquaintance. Mr. Jourdain. No, sir. Koviel (points with his hand a foot from the floor). And I knew you like this. Mr. Jourdain. Me? Koviel. Yes. You were a lovely child, and all the ladies took you in their arms and kissed you. Mr. Jourdain. Me? Kissed? Koviel. Yes. I was a close friend of your late father. Mr. Jourdain. My late father? Koviel. Yes. This was a real nobleman. Mr. Jourdain. As you said? Koviel, I said that he was a real nobleman. Mr. Jourdain. Who is my father? . Koviel. Yes. Mr. Jourdain. Did you know him well? Koviel. Of course! Mr. Jourdain. And you knew him to be a nobleman? Koviel. Of course. Mr. Jourdain. After that, trust people! Koviel. And what? Mr. Jourdain. There are such idiots who claim that he was a merchant! Koviel. A merchant? Yes, this is an obvious slander, he was never a merchant. You see, he was a very courteous man, very helpful, and since he had an excellent understanding of fabrics, he constantly walked around the shops, chose which ones he liked, ordered them to be taken to his house, and then distributed them to friends for money. Mr. Jourdain. I am very glad that I met you: I think you will not refuse to testify that my father was a nobleman. Koviel. I am ready to confirm this to everyone. Mr. Jourdain. You will greatly oblige me. How can I serve you? Koviel. From the time when I was friends with your late father, as I already told you, with this real nobleman, I managed to travel all over the world. Mr. Jourdain. The whole world? Koviel. Yes. Mr. Jourdain. It must be very far away. Koviel. Certainly. It’s only been four days since I returned from a long journey, and since I take a close part in everything that concerns you, I considered it my duty to come and inform you about highest degree good news for you. Mr. Jourdain. Which one? Koviel. Do you know that the son of the Turkish Sultan is here? Mr. Jourdain. To me? No, we don't know. Koviel. How so? He has a brilliant retinue, everyone comes running to see him, he is received among us as an extremely important person. Mr. Jourdain. By God, I don't know anything. Koviel. The important thing for you here is that he is in love with your daughter. Mr. Jourdain. Son of the Turkish Sultan? Koviel. Yes. And he aims to be your son-in-law. Mr. Jourdain. Who is my son-in-law? Son of the Turkish Sultan? Koviel. The son of the Turkish Sultan is your son-in-law. I visited him, I know the Turkish language perfectly, we got into a conversation, and among other things he said to me: “Aksyam krok soler onsh alla mustaf gidelum amanakhem varahini ussere karbulat,” that is: “Have you seen the young beautiful girl, daughter of Mr. Jourdain, a Parisian nobleman?" Mr. Jourdain. The son of the Turkish Sultan said that about me? Koviel. Yes. I replied that I know you well and have seen your daughter, and he responded to me: "Ah, marababa sachem! ", that is: “Oh, how I love her!” Mr. Jourdain. “Marababa sachem” means: “Oh, how I love her”? Koviel. Yes. Mr. Jourdain. It’s good that you said it yourself I would never have guessed that "Marababa sachem" means: "Oh, how I love her." What an amazing language! Koviel. What an amazing one! Do you know what "kakarakamushen" means? Mr. Jourdain. "Kakarakamushen"? No. Koviel. It means: “my darling.” Mr. Jourdain. “Kakarakamushen” means: “my darling”? Koviel. Yes. Mr. Jourdain. Miracles! “Kakarakamushen” is “my darling”! Whoever could have thought! This is amazing! Koviel. So, fulfilling his instructions, I bring to your attention that he came here to ask for the hand of your daughter, and so that the future father-in-law in his position would be worthy of him, he intended to make you a “mamamushi” - - this is their high rank. Mr. Jourdain. In "mamamushi"? Koviel. Yes. “Mamamushi”, in our opinion, is the same as a paladin. Paladin is among the ancients... in a word, paladin. This is the most honorable rank that exists in the world - you will be on a par with the most distinguished nobles. Mr. Jourdain. The son of the Turkish Sultan does me great honor. Please take me to him: I want to thank him. Koviel. For what? He will come to you himself. Mr. Jourdain. Will he come to me? Koviel. Yes, and he will bring with him everything you need for your initiation ceremony. Mr. Jourdain. He's too fast. Koviel. His love cannot be delayed. Mr. Jourdain. One thing confuses me: my daughter is stubborn - she fell head over heels in love with a certain Cleonte and swears that she will only marry him. Koviel. She will change her mind as soon as she sees the son of the Turkish Sultan. In addition, there is one extraordinary coincidence: the fact is that the son of the Turkish Sultan and Cleont are like two peas in a pod. I saw this Cleonte, they showed him to me... so the feeling that she has for one can easily transfer to another, and then... However, I hear the steps of the Turk. Here he is.Scene VI
Cleont, dressed as a Turk; three pages carry the skirts of his caftan; Mr. Jourdain, Koviel. Cleont. Ambusakhim oki boraf, Jiurdina, selam alaikum. Koviel (to Mr. Jourdain). This means: “Mr. Jourdain, may your heart bloom all year round, like a rosebush.” They express it all so elegantly. Mr. Jourdain. I am the most humble servant of His Turkish Highness. Koviel. Karigar kamboto ustin moraf. Cleont. Ustin yok katamalek basum base alla moran. Koviel. He says: “May heaven send down upon you the strength of a lion and the wisdom of a serpent.” Mr. Jourdain. His Turkish Highness honors me too much, but I, for my part, wish him every well-being. Koviel. Ossa binamen sadok babally orakaf uram. Cleont. Not a month. Koviel. He says that you should immediately go with him to prepare for the ceremony, and then take him to his daughter to conclude a marriage alliance. Mr. Jourdain. Did he express so much in three words? Koviel. Yes. This is the Turkish language: just a few words, but a lot is said. Go with him quickly!Scene VII
Koviel is alone. Koviel. Ha ha ha! Fun, really, fun! Such a fool! Had he learned his role in advance, he still could not have played it better. Ha ha ha!Scene VIII
Dorant, Koviel. Koviel. Sir, please help us with one business that we have started in this house. Dorant. Ha ha ha! Is that you, Koviel? You're simply unrecognizable. How did you dress up like that? Koviel. As you can see. Ha ha ha! Dorant. Why are you laughing? Koviel. It’s a very funny story, sir, that’s why I laugh. Dorant. What is it? Koviel. I bet, sir, that you will not guess what trap we have prepared for Monsieur Jourdain so that he agrees to the marriage of his daughter to my master. Dorant. I have no idea what kind of trap this is, but I can guess that success is guaranteed as long as you get down to business. Koviel. Of course, sir, you know what kind of animal we are hunting. Dorant. Tell me what you're up to. Koviel. Take the trouble to step aside, otherwise they’re already coming here, you have to let them through. Now you will see part of the comedy, and in the meantime I will tell you the rest.Scene IX
Turkish ceremony Mufti, dervishes, Turks, singing and dancing, mufti's retinue FIRST BALLET PERFORMANCE Six Turks solemnly walk in pairs to the music. They carry three carpets and, after dancing several figures, raise the carpets high above their heads. The singing Turks pass under these carpets and then line up on both sides of the stage. The mufti and the dervishes bring up the rear of the procession. Next, the Turks spread carpets and kneel, the mufti and dervishes stand in the middle. The mufti, with various antics and grimaces, but without words, calls on Mohammed, and at this time the Turks who make up his retinue prostrate themselves and sing “Alla”, then raise their hands to the sky and again sing “Alla”, and so on until the end of the mufti’s prayer, after why they all rise from the floor and sing “Alla Ekber”, and two dervishes follow Mr. Jourdain.Phenomenon X
Mufti, dervishes, Turks, singing and dancing, M. Jourdain, dressed as a Turk, with a shaved head, without a turban and without a saber. Mufti (to Mr. Jourdain) When you know, then answer. When you don’t know, Then be silent. I am the mufti here, and who are you? Don't understand? Shut up, shut up! Two dervishes take Mr. Jourdain awayScene XI
Mufti, dervishes, Turks, singing and dancing. Mufti. Tell me, Turks, who is he? Anabaptist? Anabaptist? Turks. Yock. Mufti. Zwinglista? Turks. Iok. Mufti. Koffista? Turks. Yock. Mufti. Gusita? Morista? Fronista? Turks. Yock. Yock. Yock. Mufti. Yock. Yock. Yock. Pagan? Turks. Yock. Mufti. Lutheran? Turks. Yock. Mufti. Puritan? Turks. Yock. Mufti. Brahmin? Moffina? Zurina? Turks. Yock. Yock. Yock. Mufti. Yock. Yock. Yok..Mohammedan? Mohammedan? Turks. Hey wallah! Hey wallah! Mufti. What's your nickname? What's your nickname? Turks. Giurdina, Giurdina. Mufti (jumping). Giurdina. Giurdina. Turks. Giurdina. Giurdina. The Mufti of Mohammed, lord, I ask for Giurdin to make him a paladin, give him a halberdine and send Palestine to the brigantine galley and fight a Christian with all the Saracens. Master Mohammed, I ask for Dzhiurdin! (To the Turks.) Karosh Turk Dzhiurdin? Turks. Hey wallah! Hey wallah! Mufti (sings and dances). Ha-la-ba, ba-la-shu, ba-la-ba, ba-la-da. Turks. Ha-la-ba, ba-la-shu, ba-la-ba, ba-la-da.Scene XII
Turks singing and dancing.Scene XIII
Mufti, dervishes, Mr. Jourdain, Turks, singing and dancing. SECOND BALLET EXIT The mufti walks ahead; on the head of the mufti is an incredibly large ceremonial turban, to which lighted candles are attached in several rows; behind him are two dervishes in pointed hats, on which there are also lit candles, carrying the Koran. Two other dervishes bring in M. Jourdain and make him kneel so that his hands touch the ground and his back serves as a stand for the Koran; The mufti puts the Koran on his back and again begins, clowning, to call on Mohammed: he shifts his eyebrows, from time to time hits the Koran with his hand and quickly turns the pages through it, then raises his hands to the sky and exclaims: “Gu!” During this second ceremony, the Turks who make up his retinue bend down, then straighten up and also exclaim: “Gu, gu, gu!” Mr. Jourdain (after the Koran was removed from his back). Wow! Mufti (to Mr. Jourdain) Isn't yours a deception? Turks No, no, no. Mufti. Not a charlatan? Turks No, no, no. Mufti (to the Turks) Give him a turban! Turks Are you not deceiving? No no no. Not a charlatan? No no no. Give him a turban! THIRD BALLET EXIT The dancing Turks put a turban on Mr. Jourdain to the music. Mufti (giving Mr. Jourdain a saber) Yours is the nobles. I'm not lying one bit. Here's your saber. Turks (drawing sabers) Yours is the nobles. I'm not lying one bit. Here's your saber. FOURTH BALLET EXIT The dancing Turks, to the beat of the music, strike Mr. Jourdain with flat saber blows, Mufti Stick, stick, hit - no pity Turks Stick, stick, hit - no pity. FIFTH BALLET ACT The dancing Turks beat Mr. Jourdain with sticks to the beat of the music. Mufti Don't be afraid, Don't be ashamed, If you want to Dedicate! Turks Don't be afraid, Don't be ashamed, If you want to Dedicate! The Mufti begins to call on Mohammed for the third time. The Dervishes respectfully support him by the arms; then the Turks, singing and dancing, begin to jump around the mufti and, finally, leave with him and take M. Jourdain away with him.*ACT FIVE*
Phenomenon I
Madame Jourdain, Mr. Jourdain. Mrs Jourdain. Lord have mercy! What is this? Who do you look like? What are you wearing? Do you want to dress up? So tell me, finally, what does all this mean? Who made you look like such a fool? Mr. Jourdain. What a fool! Talk to mamamushi like that! Mrs Jourdain. What's happened? Mr. Jourdain. Yes, yes, now everyone must be respectful to me. I was just promoted to mamamushi. Mrs Jourdain. How do you understand this - mamamushi? Mr. Jourdain. They tell you - mamamushi. I am now mamamushi. Mrs Jourdain. What kind of animal is this? Mr. Jourdain. Mamamushi, in our opinion, a paladin. Mrs Jourdain. Baldin? You are the idiot. I decided to start dancing in my old age. Mr. Jourdain. It's dark! This is the rank to which I have now been ordained. Mrs Jourdain. How was it dedicated? Mr. Jourdain. Master Mohammed, I pray for Dzhiurdin. Mrs Jourdain. What does it mean? Mr. Jourdain. "Giurdina" means Jourdain Mrs. Jourdain. Well, Jourdain, what next? Mr. Jourdain. Make him a paladin. Mrs Jourdain. How? Mr. Jourdain. And send it to Palestine on a brigantine galley. Mrs Jourdain. Why is this? Mr. Jourdain. And the Christian will fight with all the Saracens. Mrs Jourdain. What are you talking about? Mr. Jourdain. Stick, stick, hit - don't mind! Mrs Jourdain. What gibberish! Mr. Jourdain. Don't be afraid, don't be ashamed if you want to devote yourself. Mrs Jourdain. What is this? Mr. Jourdain (dances and sings). U-la-ba, ba-la-shu, ba-la-ba, ba-la-da. (Falls.) Mrs Jourdain. Dear God, my husband has gone completely crazy! Mr. Jourdain (gets up and heads towards the exit). Stop it, rude! Treat Mr. Mamamushi with respect. Ms. Jourdain (one). When did he go crazy? Hurry after him, otherwise he will run away from home! (Seeing Dorimena and Dorant.) Ah, there just weren’t enough of you here! It doesn't get any easier hour by hour.Phenomenon II
Dorant, Dorimena. Dorant. Yes, marquise, a very amusing sight awaits you. I can guarantee that you will not find such a madman as our Jourdain anywhere. Then it is our duty to take part in the affairs of Cleonte’s heart and support his idea of a masquerade. He's a nice person and worth helping. Dorimena. I think very highly of him. He is fully worthy of happiness. Dorant. Besides all this, we should not miss the ballet, which, in fact, is arranged for us. Let's see how successful my plan is. Dorimena. I noticed grandiose preparations here, and here's the thing, Dorant: I won't tolerate this anymore. Yes, yes, I want to put an end to your extravagance: so that you don’t spend any more money on me, I decided to marry you without delay. This is the only remedy: with the wedding all this madness ends. Dorant. Do you really intend to make such a gratifying decision for me? Dorimena. This is only so that you do not go broke, otherwise, I am convinced, the time is not far off when you will be left penniless. Dorant. Oh, how grateful I am to you for your concern for my condition! It belongs entirely to you, just as my heart does: dispose of it as you see fit. Dorimena. I can manage both. But here comes our eccentric. He looks charming!Scene III
Mr. Jourdain, Dorimena, Dorant. Dorant. Dear Sir, the Marchioness and I have come to congratulate you on your new title and share your joy at the upcoming marriage of your daughter to the son of the Turkish Sultan. Mr. Jourdain (bows to them in Turkish). I wish you, Your Excellency, the strength of a snake and the wisdom of a lion. Dorimena. I have the happiness, sir, to be one of the first to greet you on the occasion that you have ascended to the highest level of glory. Mr. Jourdain. I wish you, madam, that your rose bush blooms all year round. I am eternally grateful to you for coming to honor me, and I am very glad that you are here again and that I can offer you a sincere apology for my wife’s wild behavior. Dorimena. Empty! I willingly forgive her for this involuntary impulse. You are, of course, dear to her, and it is not surprising that, possessing such a treasure, she experiences some fears. Mr. Jourdain. All rights to own my heart belong to you. Dorant. You see, Marquise, that Mister Jourdain is not one of those people who is blinded by prosperity: he does not forget his friends even in happiness. Dorimena. This is a sign of a truly noble soul. Dorant. Where is His Turkish Highness? We would like to pay our respects to him as your friends. Mr. Jourdain. Here he comes. I already sent for my daughter so that she would give him her hand and heart.Phenomenon IV
Mr. Jourdain. Dorimene, Dorant, Cleont, dressed as a Turk. Dorant (Cleontos). Your Highness, as friends of your venerable father-in-law, we have come to testify to you our deepest respect and most humbly bring assurances of our perfect devotion. Mr. Jourdain. Where is this interpreter? He would introduce you to him and explain what you want to say. You will see, he will certainly answer you: he speaks Turkish perfectly. Hey! Hey! Where did this take him? (To Cleont.) Stroof, strif, strof, strof. This Kaspatin is a balshoy velmosh, balshoy a velmosh, and this kaspasha - wow, what a snatna tama, oh, what a snatna tama! (Seeing that he doesn’t understand anything.) Yeah! (Pointing to Dorant.) He's a French mammousy, she's a French mammousy. I can't express myself more clearly. Here, thank God, is the translator.Phenomenon V
Mr. Jourdain, Dorimena, Dorant, Cleont, dressed as a Turk, Koviel, also in disguise. Mr. Jourdain. Where are you? Without you we are like without hands. (Pointing to Cleont.) Please tell him that this gentleman and this lady are persons from high society and that they, as my friends, came to pay him their respects and bring assurances of devotion. (Dorimen and Dorant.) Listen to what he has to say. Koviel. Alabala crosyam yakshi boram alabamen. Cleont. Kataleki tubal urin soter amalushan. Mr. Jourdain (To Dorant and Dorimene). Do you hear? Koviel. He wants the rain of prosperity to irrigate your family’s garden at all times. Mr. Jourdain. It’s not for nothing that I told you that he speaks Turkish! Dorant. Amazing!Scene VI
Lucille, Cleon t, Mr. Jourdain, Dorimena, Dorant, Koviel. Mr. Jourdain. Come here, my daughter, come closer and give your hand to this gentleman, who does you the honor of wooing you. Lucille. What's wrong with you, father? What have you done to yourself? Or are you playing a comedy? Mr. Jourdain. No, no, this is not a comedy at all, this is a very serious matter and such an honor for you that you can’t imagine anything better. (Pointing to Cleont.) This is who I give you as your husband. Lucille. Me, father? Mr. Jourdain. Well yes, you. Quickly give him your hand and thank God for such happiness. Lucille. I don't want to get married. Mr. Jourdain. And I, your father, wish this. Lucille. Never. Mr. Jourdain. Without any talking! Live up, they tell you! Well, give me your hand! Lucille. No, father, I already told you that there is no force that would force me to marry anyone other than Cleontes, and I would sooner decide on any extreme than... (Recognizes Cleontes.) Of course, you are my father, I must obey you unquestioningly, arrange my fate as you please. Mr. Jourdain. Oh, how glad I am that the sense of duty returned to you so soon! It's good to have an obedient daughter.Scene VII
Madame Jourdain, Cleont, Mr. Jourdain, Lucille, Dorant, Dorimena, Koviel. Mrs Jourdain. What is it? What kind of news is this? They say you're planning to marry your daughter to some buffoon? Mr. Jourdain. Will you shut up, impudent one? I'm tired of your wild antics, there's nothing I can do to reason with you! Mrs Jourdain. No force can bring you to your senses: just wait for some new extravagance. What are you planning and why is this gathering? Mr. Jourdain. I want to marry our daughter to the son of the Turkish Sultan. Mrs Jourdain. For the son of the Turkish Sultan? Mr. Jourdain. Yes. (Pointing to Koviel.) Show your respects to him through this interpreter. Mrs Jourdain. I don’t need any interpreter; I’ll tell him straight to his face that he won’t see my daughter. Mr. Jourdain. Will you finally shut up? Dorant. For mercy, Madame Jourdain, are you really refusing such an honor? You don't want His Turkish Highness to be your son-in-law? Mrs Jourdain. For God's sake, sir, don't interfere in other people's affairs. Dorimena. Such great happiness should not be neglected. Mrs Jourdain. And you, madam, I will also ask you not to interfere where you are not asked. Dorant. We take care of you - solely out of a friendly disposition towards you. Mrs Jourdain. I don't need your friendship. Dorant. But your daughter also agrees to obey the will of her parent. Mrs Jourdain. Does my daughter agree to marry a Turk? Dorant. Without any doubt. Mrs Jourdain. Can she forget Cleontes? Dorant. What they don’t sacrifice in order to be called a noble lady! Mrs Jourdain. If she pulled such a thing, I will strangle her with my own hands. Mr. Jourdain. Well, let's go! I'm telling you that the wedding will take place. Mrs Jourdain. And I’m telling you that it won’t happen. Mr. Jourdain. Enough talk! Lucille. Mother! Mrs Jourdain. Oh, come on, you bad girl! Mr. Jourdain (to his wife). What are you doing, scolding her for obeying her father? Mrs Jourdain. Yes. She is as much my daughter as she is yours. Koviel (Ms. Jourdain). Madam! Mrs Jourdain. What are you going to tell me? Koviel. Just one word. Mrs Jourdain. I really need your word! Koviel (to Mr. Jourdain). Sir, if only your wife wants to talk to me in private, then I guarantee you that she will express her consent. Mrs Jourdain. I will never agree. Koviel. Just listen to me! Mrs Jourdain. I won't listen. Mr. Jourdain (to his wife). Listen to him! Mrs Jourdain. I don't want to listen to him. Mr. Jourdain. He will explain it to you... Madame Jourdain. I don’t want him to explain it to me. Mr. Jourdain. How stubborn all women are! What, will this make you sick, or what? Koviel. All you have to do is listen to me, and then do as you please. Mrs Jourdain. Well, what do you have? Koviel (quietly to Madame Jourdain). It's almost an hour, madam, we are making signs to you. Don't you see that we started all this just to imitate Mr. Jourdain with his eternal whims? We are fooling him with this masquerade: after all, the son of the Turkish Sultan is none other than Cleont himself. Ms. Jourdain (quietly to Koviel). Ah, that's the thing! Koviel (quietly to Madame Jourdain). And I, Koviel, acted as a translator for him. Ms. Jourdain (quietly to Kovel). Well, if that's the case, then I give up. Koviel (quietly to Madame Jourdain). Just don't show it. Ms. Jourdain (loud).Yes.. Everything was settled. I agree to marriage. Mr. Jourdain. Well, now everyone has come to their senses! (To his wife.) And you still didn’t want to listen to him! I was sure that he would be able to explain to you what the son of the Turkish Sultan means. Mrs Jourdain. He explained everything to me clearly, and now I'm happy. We need to send for a notary. Dorant. A laudable intention. And so that you, Madame Jourdain, can be completely calm and from now on cease to be jealous of your honorable husband, I announce to you that the marquise and I will use the services of the same notary and enter into a marriage union. Mrs Jourdain. I agree to this too. Mr. Jourdain (quietly to Dorant). Are you trying to divert attention? Dorant (quietly to Mr. Jourdain). Let yourself enjoy this fable. Mr. Jourdain (quiet). Great, great! (Loud.) Send for a notary! Dorant. In the meantime, he comes and draws up the marriage contracts, let's watch the ballet - this will serve as entertainment for His Turkish Highness. Mr. Jourdain. Great idea. Let's go take a seat. Mrs Jourdain. What about Nicole? Mr. Jourdain. I give Nicole to the interpreter, and my wife to anyone. Koviel. Thank you, sir. (To the side.) Well, you won’t find another such madman in the whole world! The comedy ends with a ballet.Jean-Baptiste Moliere
Tradesman in the nobility
Jean Baptiste Moliere
Tradesman in the nobility
Comedy in five acts
Mr. Jourdain, tradesman.
Madame Jourdain, his wife.
Lucille, their daughter.
Cleonte, a young man in love with Lucille.
Dorimena, marquise.
Dorant, Count, in love with Dorimena
Nicole, a maid in the house of Mr. Jourdain.
Koviel, servant of Cleont.
Music teacher.
Music teacher student.
Dance teacher.
Fencing teacher.
Philosophy teacher.
Musicians.
Tailor.
Tailor's apprentice.
Two footmen.
Three pages.
Act one
The action takes place in Paris, in the house of Mr. Jourdain
The overture is performed by a variety of instruments; in the middle of the scene at the table, a music teacher's student is composing a melody for a serenade ordered by M. Jourdain.
First appearance
A music teacher, a dance teacher, two singers, a singer, two violinists, four dancers.
Music teacher (singers and musicians)
Come here, to this room, rest until he arrives.
Dance teacher (dancers)
And you too, stand on this side.
Music teacher (to student).
Ready?
Student.
Ready.
Music teacher.
Let's see... Very good.
Dance teacher.
Anything new?
Music teacher.
Yes, I told the student to compose music for a serenade while our eccentric woke up.
Dance teacher.
Can I have a look?
Music teacher.
You will hear this along with the dialogue as soon as the owner appears. He'll be out soon.
Dance teacher.
Now you and I have things going over our heads.
Music teacher.
Still would! We found exactly the person we needed. Mr. Jourdain, with his obsession with the nobility and social manners, is just a treasure for us. If everyone became like him, then your dances and my music would have nothing more to wish for.
Dance teacher.
Well, not quite. I would like, for his own good, that he would have a better understanding of the things that we explain to him.
Music teacher.
He doesn’t understand them well, but he pays well, and our arts need nothing more now than this.
Dance teacher.
I'll admit, I'm a little partial to fame. Applause gives me pleasure, but to waste my art on fools, to submit my creations to the barbaric court of a fool - this, in my opinion, is an unbearable torture for any artist. Whatever you say, it’s nice to work for people who are able to feel the subtleties of this or that art, who know how to appreciate the beauty of works and reward you for your work with flattering signs of approval. Yes, the most pleasant reward is to see that your creation is recognized, that you are honored for it with applause. In my opinion, this is the best reward for all our hardships - the praise of an enlightened person gives inexplicable pleasure.
Music teacher.
I agree with this, I myself love praise. Indeed, there is nothing more flattering than applause, but you can’t live on incense. Praise alone is not enough for a person; give him something more significant. The best way incentives are putting something in your hand. Frankly speaking, our master’s knowledge is not great, he judges everything crookedly and at random and applauds where he should not, but money straightens the crookedness of his judgments, his common sense is in his wallet, his praises are minted in the form of coins, so from this ignorant The tradesman, as you see, is of much more use to us than the enlightened nobleman who brought us here.
Dance teacher.
There is some truth in your words, but it seems to me that you attach too much importance to money; Meanwhile, self-interest is something so base that a decent person should not show any special inclination towards it.
Music teacher.
However, you calmly take money from our eccentric.
Dance teacher.
Of course, I take it, but money is not the main thing for me. If only his wealth and even a little good taste - that’s what I would like.
Music teacher.
Me too, because we both strive for this to the best of our ability. But be that as it may, thanks to him, people began to pay attention to us in society, and what others will praise, he will pay for.
Dance teacher.
And here he is.
Second phenomenon
Mr. Jourdain in a dressing gown and nightcap, a music teacher, a dancing teacher, a music teacher's student, a singer, two singers, violinists, dancers, two footmen.
Mr. Jourdain.
Well, gentlemen? How are you doing there? Will you show me your trinket today?
Dance teacher.
What? What trinket?
Mr. Jourdain.
Well, this one... What do you call it? It's either a prologue or a dialogue with songs and dances.
Dance teacher.
ABOUT! ABOUT!
Music teacher.
As you can see, we are ready.
Mr. Jourdain.
I hesitated a little, but the point is this: I dress now as nobles dress, and my tailor sent me silk stockings, so tight - really, I thought I’d never get them on.
Music teacher.
We are entirely at your service.
Mr. Jourdain.
I ask you both not to leave until they bring me my new suit: I want you to look at me.
Dance teacher.
As you wish.
Mr. Jourdain.
You will see that now I am dressed from head to toe as I should be.
Music teacher.
We have no doubt about this.
Mr. Jourdain.
I made myself a robe from Indian fabric.
Dance teacher.
Great robe.
Mr. Jourdain.
My tailor assures me that all the nobles wear such robes in the morning.
Music teacher.
It suits you amazingly.
Mr. Jourdain.
Lackey! Hey, my two lackeys!
First footman.
What do you order, sir?
Mr. Jourdain.
I won't order anything. I just wanted to check how you obey me. (To the music teacher and dance teacher.) How do you like their liveries?
Dance teacher.
Magnificent liveries.
Mr. Jourdain (opens his robe; underneath he has tight red velvet trousers and a green velvet camisole).
And here is my home suit for morning exercises.
Music teacher.
Abyss of taste!
Mr. Jourdain.
Lackey!
First footman.
Anything, sir?
Mr. Jourdain.
Another lackey!
Second footman.
Anything, sir?
Mr. Jourdain (takes off his robe).
Hold it. (To the music teacher and dance teacher.) Well, am I good in this outfit?
Dance teacher.
Very good. It couldn't be better.
Mr. Jourdain.
Now let's get busy with you.
Music teacher.
First of all, I would like you to listen to the music that he (points to the student) wrote for the serenade you ordered. This is my student, he has amazing abilities for such things.
Mr. Jourdain.
It may very well be, but still you shouldn’t have entrusted this to a student. It remains to be seen whether you yourself are fit for such a task, let alone a student.
Music teacher.
The word "student" should not confuse you, sir. Students of this kind understand music no worse than great masters. In fact, you couldn’t imagine a more wonderful motive. Just listen.
Mr. Jourdain (to the footmen).
Give me a robe, it’s more convenient to listen... However, wait, perhaps it’s better without a robe. No, give me a robe, it will be better.
Singer.
Iris, I am languishing, suffering is destroying me,
Your stern gaze pierced me like a sharp sword.
When you torture someone who loves you so much,
How terrible you are to the one who dared to incur your wrath!
Mr. Jourdain.
In my opinion, this is a rather mournful song, it makes you sleepy. I would ask you to make it a little more fun.
Music teacher.
The motive must correspond to the words, sir.
Mr. Jourdain.
I was recently taught a very nice song. Wait... now, now... How does it start?
Dance teacher.
Really, I don't know.
Mr. Jourdain.
It also talks about a sheep.
Dance teacher.
About the sheep?
Mr. Jourdain.
Yes Yes. Oh, here it is!
(Sings.)
I thought Jeanette
And kind and beautiful,
I considered Jeanette to be a sheep, but, oh!
She's cunning and dangerous
Like a lioness in virgin forests!
Isn't it a nice song?
Music teacher.
Still not nice!
Dance teacher.
And you sing it well.
Mr. Jourdain.
But I didn’t study music.
Music teacher.
It would be good for you, sir, to learn not only dancing, but also music. These two types of art are inextricably linked.
Dance teacher.
They develop a sense of grace in a person.
Mr. Jourdain.
What, noble gentlemen also study music?
Music teacher.
Of course, sir.
Mr. Jourdain.
Well, that’s how I’ll start studying. I just don’t know when: after all, in addition to a fencing teacher, I also hired a philosophy teacher - he should start studying with me this morning.
Music teacher.
Philosophy is an important matter, but music, sir, music...
Dance teacher.
Music and dancing... Music and dancing are all a person needs.
Music teacher.
There is nothing more useful for the state than music.
Dance teacher.
There is nothing more necessary for a person than dancing.
Music teacher.
Without music, the state cannot exist.
Dance teacher.
Without dancing, a person would not be able to do anything.
Music teacher.
All strife, all wars on earth arise solely from ignorance of music.
Dance teacher.
All human misfortunes, all the misadventures with which history is full, the mistakes of statesmen, the mistakes of great commanders - all this stems solely from the inability to dance.
Mr. Jourdain.
How so?
Music teacher.
War arises from disagreement between people, doesn't it?
Mr. Jourdain.
Right.
Music teacher.
And if everyone studied music, wouldn’t it put people in a peaceful mood and contribute to the reign of universal peace on earth?
Mr. Jourdain.
And that's true.
Dance teacher.
When a person does not act as he should, whether he is simply the father of a family, or statesman, or a military leader, they usually say about him that he took the wrong step, isn’t it?
Mr. Jourdain.
Yes, that's what they say.
Dance teacher.
What else could cause a wrong step if not the inability to dance?
Mr. Jourdain.
Yes, I agree with this too. You're both right.
Dance teacher.
We say all this so that you understand the advantages and benefits of dancing and music.
Mr. Jourdain.
I understand now.
Music teacher.
Would you like to familiarize yourself with our writings?
Mr. Jourdain.
Anything.
Music teacher.
As I already told you, this is my long-standing attempt to express all the passions that music can convey.
Mr. Jourdain.
Wonderful.
Music teacher (singers).
Come here.
(To Mr. Jourdain.) You must imagine that they are dressed as shepherdesses.
Mr. Jourdain.
And why are these always shepherdesses?! Always the same.
Dance teacher.
When speaking to music, for greater verisimilitude one has to resort to pastoral music. From time immemorial, shepherds have been credited with a love of singing; on the other hand, it would be very unnatural if princes or commoners began to express their feelings in singing.
Mr. Jourdain.
OK OK. Let's see.
Musical dialogue
A singer and two singers.
Hearts in love
There are always thousands of interferences.
Love brings us both happiness and longing.
No wonder there is such an opinion,
What is dearest to us is not to know the pleasures of love.
The first singer.
No, what is dearest to us is that endless joy,
Which hearts
The lovers are drained.
There can be no bliss on earth without passion.
Who neglects love,
That will never know happiness.
Second singer.
Oh, who wouldn't want love to taste power?
If only passion were not deceptive!
But, oh, what to do with evil fate?
There is not a single faithful shepherdess here,
And the unworthy sex, disgracing the white world,
Testifies to us that there is no longer any loyalty.
The first singer.
Oh, heart trembling!
Oh, passion in the eyes!
Second singer.
A complete lie!
The first singer.
That moment is dear to me!
They are full of joy!
Second singer.
I despise everyone!
The first singer.
Oh, don’t be angry, forget your immeasurable anger!
We'll bring you in now
To a loving and faithful shepherdess.
Second singer.
Alas! There are none worthy among you!
I'm going to the test -
Here's my love.
Second singer.
Who will guarantee in advance,
Why not be deceived again?
He who is faithful, let him prove
Your heart's tender ardor.
Second singer.
May heaven punish him
Who shamefully cheated.
All three together
Flames above us
Love's crown burns.
The merging of two hearts,—
What could be cuter?
Mr. Jourdain.
And it's all?
Music teacher.
All.
Mr. Jourdain.
In my opinion, it was cleverly twisted. Here and there you come across some very interesting words.
Dance teacher.
And now it’s my turn: I will offer you a small sample of the most graceful body movements and the most graceful poses that a dance can consist of.
Mr. Jourdain.
Shepherds again?
Dance teacher.
It's as you please.
(To the dancers.) Begin.
Ballet.
Four dancers, following the instructions of the dance teacher, make various movements and perform all kinds of steps.
Act two
First appearance
Mr. Jourdain, music teacher, dance teacher.
Mr. Jourdain.
It’s really cool: the dancers are doing a great job.
Dance teacher.
And when the dance is accompanied by music, the impression is even stronger. We have composed a ballet for you; you will see how charming it is.
Mr. Jourdain.
I will need it today: the person in whose honor I am arranging all this should come to dinner with me.
Dance teacher.
All is ready.
Music teacher.
One thing is missing, sir: a person like you, with all your splendor, with your penchant for the fine arts, should definitely give concerts on Wednesdays or Thursdays.
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